The Aardhuis was commissioned in 1861 by King William III of the Netherlands. It served primarily as a hunting lodge. Its name originates from the hill on which it was built: Aardmansberg, or Goblin Hill. The Aardmansberg is almost the highest hill in the Veluwe National Park (approx. 102 m above sea level). There is also an echoing well built by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte nearby.
Hunting Lodge
The Aardhuis in Hoog Soeren was originally built as a place for high-ranking soldiers to meet. It was later used more regularly for hunting by Prince Hendrik (Princess Beatrix’s grandfather). At the end of the 20th century, the building was turned into a visitors’ centre but it has retained its royal character. There is a gun rack just like the one King William III used, standing in exactly the same place as it did in 1861.
Echoing Well
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (known in Dutch as Lodewijk Napoleon) was named king of the Netherlands in 1806 by his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte. He ordered the construction of new roads throughout the Netherlands in order to create faster routes for the French troops. There is an echoing well along Amersfoortseweg road that dates from the same period. Tradition has it, that the passing army convoys and mail carriages needed the well for watering their horses. This is quite remarkable, because the well has not been built at the area’s lowest point, as one might expect. It has been built at approximately 90 metres above sea level.
The legend of Goblin Hill
The depth of the well at 56 metres gives it its characteristic echo. An old legend tells the story of an evil goblin that has lived on Goblin Hill who has been terrifying passers-by at night for centuries. It was not until the building of the well some two hundred years ago, that people realised that the goblin was married, and that his wife was called Echo. For those of you who do not believe the story, come and ask the well!
