A Legacy of Enterprise & Rotterdam Grandeur

The Vanished Village of Rotta

Deep beneath Rotterdam’s modern-day hustle and bustle lie the city’s hidden roots. Centuries ago, long before the iconic skyscrapers defined the skyline, the early fishing village of Rotta lay on the site of the current city centre. The inhabitants lived in a constant battle with the elements.

Major floods ravaged the area until the original village was finally swallowed up by the catastrophic Allerheiligenvloed, All Saints flood in 1170. The remains of the village still lie buried deep in the ground on which the city of Rotterdam was built.

The Dam That Changed Everything

To protect the land from the water for good, drastic action was required, and in 1270, the aptly named Dam in de Rotte was built. This proved to be a historic turning point.

A new, safe settlement soon emerged around the dam, and so Rotterdam was born. The strategic location proved to be a magnet for trade and industry, and what was once the site of a vanishing medieval fishing village soon transformed into a bustling metropolis.

From Burgeoning City to International Port

Rotterdam grew so rapidly that, in 1340, it was granted official city rights. Thanks to its perfect location on the water, trade became the driving force of the city. Shipping, international trade, and the open connection to the world overseas brought the great prosperity that characterises Rotterdam to this day.

From Unprotected Floodplain to the “Muizenpolder”

Originally, the area along the Maas was a wild, unprotected floodplain. Following a period of intense flooding, the area was struck by a severe mouse plague triggering an emergency counter action: a dyke was built and the land permanently reclaimed.

As a lasting reminder of its unsettling history, the area was given the name 'Muizenpolder', meaning literally Mice Polder.

From Mouse-infested Floodplain to a Paradise for the Elite

The new polder soon attracted the attention of the wealthy Rotterdam elite seeking fresh air, space, and tranquillity away from the increasingly crowded city centre. The fertile soil of the Muizenpolder proved to be the perfect location, and the area was transformed into an oasis of green.

Country Estates and Pleasure Gardens

In a short time, the polder blossomed into an idyllic retreat. Wealthy merchant families built grand summer estates surrounded by lush, scenic pleasure gardens. In elegant tea pavilions overlooking the Maas, Rotterdam's high society enjoyed their leisure time, far away from the hubbub of the city.

Rudolph Baelde Builds His Dream

In 1736, a wealthy Rotterdam merchant, Rudolph Baelde, founded the country estate Welgelegen in the fertile land of the Muizenpolder on the outskirts of Rotterdam city centre.

Baelde was a man of great standing in the city. He worked as a commissioner for the maritime court and was a prominent figure in 18th-century colonial trade. He had the stately predecessor of the current villa built as his personal retreat to escape the busy commotion of the city.

Mayor Johan Frederik Hoffmann Takes the Helm

Johan Frederik Hoffmann was the last resident of the original 18th-century house. Hoffmann was the mayor of Rotterdam and was also active in the world of trade, finance, and shipping.

Under his leadership, the city gained momentum: the port expanded rapidly, the economy flourished, and new connections to the world's oceans were opened, laying the cornerstone for Rotterdam's later position as the largest international port in Europe.

The Masterpiece of Philippus van Ommeren

In 1872, Philippus van Ommeren, the renowned shipbroker and ship owner and founder of the shipping company Phs. van Ommeren, purchased the country estate.

Van Ommeren opted for a rigorous approach and had the old 18th-century house completely demolished. In its place he erected the imposing neoclassical villa which, more than a century and a half later, is the essence of the Welgelegen we see today.

His design plans at that time were ground-breaking. Due to the low-lying location of the plot, below the level of the dike, he designed innovative features such as modern cavity walls and an ingenious drainage system.

An 18th Century Status Symbol: The Coach House is Constructed

Not only was the villa itself redesigned but the outdoor area also underwent a dramatic reconfiguration. An entirely new, modern coach house was built offering accommodation for the horses and carriages of the 19th-century elite.

Two Trading Dynasties United

In 1888, the villa was bought by Jacobus van Hoboken, a prominent banker, merchant and distiller and grandson of the legendary ship-owner Anthony van Hoboken.

A wealthy member of the Rotterdam elite, Jacobus van Hoboken had the villa’s interior embellished with beautifully-crafted wooden panelling and intricately detailed ceiling paintings.

Through his marriage to Maria Johanna de Monchy, two powerful families were united, having a lasting impact on Rotterdam’s port, industry and finance sector.

The Division of the Estate

After the loss of her husband in 1916, Maria Johanna de Monchy continued to live on the country estate. When she died in 1922, the heirs decided to divide the large plot.

The imposing villa and a small part of the garden were sold to a new owner, while the largest part of the garden, original access bridge and coach house remained in the possession of the heirs for decades.

A New Era of Elegance

In 1924, the estate was purchased by the famous candy and chocolate manufacturer Louis Jamin, who had the villa extensively renovated to suit the taste of the new era.

The classical architecture was preserved, while the interior received contemporary updates including an Art Deco kitchen, opulent marble finishes, a magnificent open staircase and the stained-glass dome created especially for Welgelegen by artist Everardus Warffemius.

A Complete Estate Full of New Allure

In 1931, the boundary with the adjacent country estate Schoonoord was altered. As a result, the older coach house became a permanent part of Buitenplaats Welgelegen’s own plot.

It was adapted to suit modern transport, while the enlarged estate also gained two tennis courts, balancing historical elegance with contemporary living.

German Occupation and a New Purpose

Although the estate survived, Welgelegen did not escape the harsh reality of German occupation. In 1943, the German army confiscated the country estate and the Jamin family was forcibly evicted.

After the liberation, the keys were returned to the family, but the villa would never again be used as a private family residence.

The Great Flood of 1953

In 1953, disaster struck in the shape of a severe storm which breached the dikes in several provinces, including South Holland. The resulting flood submerged the entire ground floor of Welgelegen.