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Orvelte Museum Village

Special sights

History

Monument village

Events and theme days

Walk through time in Museumdorp Orvelte

Museumdorp Orvelte provides the central setting for unique attractions that will take you through the history of this ancient es-village. Orvelte is a heritage village where people actually live. There you will find beautiful thatched Saxon farmhouses and other rustic buildings, and a variety of special events and themed days also take place. However, this is only a small glimpse of what a visit to Orvelte has to offer, where you will experience history firsthand.

Come on a journey through Museum Village Orvelte

You’ll discover the vibrant monument village of Orvelte, where you’ll gain a wide range of impressions, not just by strolling through it, but by stepping inside the centuries-old buildings. Take, for instance, the Sawmill in the Craft Garden. This is one of the few places where this beautiful craft can still be viewed up close. Or what about the Baker's House? In the Living Room, you’ll discover authentic Drenthe cosiness while enjoying traditional delicacies. Think of Drenthe ‘kniepertjes’, gingerbread, and stroopwafels, which are baked fresh every day.

Museum village Orvelte

Museums and exhibitions

Besides the various crafts, Museumdorp Orvelte also offers several museums and exhibitions. For example, pay a visit to Zoo Bizar. This is a place where you can learn all about the peculiar exotic animals living in an old Saxon farmhouse. Demonstrations are given on request, and you'll discover everything about the wondrous habits of, for instance, the stick insect “Takkie” and the tarantula “Brechje”. As you can imagine, Zoo Bizar is therefore regularly the central venue for children's parties and school trips.

The Orvelte Horse Tram

Also a unique experience in the monumental village of Orvelte, which people enjoy taking a tour of, is the Orvelte Horse-drawn Tram. This original 'Jan Plezier' (a type of horse-drawn carriage) is pulled by two Belgian draft horses, and during the tour, the guide will tell you everything you want to know about the farmsteads and the monumental buildings. Please feel free to inquire about the possibilities if you wish to take a longer trip. Travel and experience Orvelte and the beautiful surrounding countryside in a wonderful way. The Orvelte Horse-drawn Tram runs every weekend as standard from 1 April until 31 October. During the school holidays, tours are even provided daily. Departure times are indicated at the stop, but rides only take place if the weather permits.

Mien Ruys was nicknamed ‘Bielzen Mien’ (Sleeper Mien) due to her use of railway sleepers in her garden designs. This trend was very popular throughout the Netherlands in the 1970s. She therefore enjoyed working with straight shapes such as rectangles and squares.

Folkloristic groups, special markets, and more

Alongside live demonstrations of ancient crafts, Museumdorp Orvelte also provides the setting for special events. These include themed days with “folkloric groups” and various unique markets. From a brocante autumn fair to a midsummer festival, and from falconry shows to performances by diverse folkloric musicians. These events and themed days featuring “folkloric performances” are described in detail on the village's website. So be sure to visit Orvelte, where people simply live in the Drenthe of centuries ago.

In short, the Mien Ruys Gardens offer everyone a fantastic experience. Curious about other activities in the Emmen area?

In short, the Mien Ruys Gardens offer everyone a fantastic experience. Curious about other activities in the Emmen areaOr would you like to rest after all these activities, which can of course be done with an overnight stay.

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