Oosterbeek

Geschiedenis

Oosterbeek is a village in the eastern part of Netherlands. It is located in the municipality of Renkum in the province of Gelderland, about 5km west of Arnhem.The oldest part of Oosterbeek is the Benedendorp (Lower Village), on the northern bank of the Lower Rhine. One landmark in the village is the Hervormde Kerk (Reformed Church), which has certain architectural sections that date back to the second half of the 10th century.Oosterbeek was a separate municipality until 1818, when the area was divided between Doorwerth and the village of Renkum. In the 19th century, several mansions were built on the higher ground to the north of the old village. One of these mansions, called De Hemelse Berg, was destroyed in 1944. Another, called Hartenstein, is now home to the Airborne Museum. The construction of smaller buildings in the same area led to the creation of the Bovendorp (Upper Village). To the north of the built-up area lies the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery.Oosterbeek is also the location of the Hotel de Bilderberg, where the Bilderberg Group first met in 1954.The village is known for its involvement in the September 1944 Battle of Arnhem, during which it was heavily damaged. General Roy Urquhart of Britain had his headquarters at Hartenstein.