Support the most beautiful place in Wageningen with the Belmonte Arboretum Fund
With your donation to the Belmonte Arboretum Fund you support the maintanance and conservation of Belmonte Arboretum. Many alumni have special and personal memories to this unique and historical part of Wageningen. You are still welcome every day. Does the Belmonte Aboretum have a special place in your heart? Become an annual donor or make a one time donation!
The impact of your gift
The Belmonte Arboretum Fund is a named fund of University Fund Wageningen. This fund aims to contribute to the maintenance of the Belmonte Arboretum as a high-class garden, concerning botanical, cultural historical and rural aspects. Donations to the fund are benefited to the Belmonte Arboretum Foundation, which is responsible for the management of the garden. Besides the support of the university and the provincial nature management foundation, Stichting Geldersch Landschap, private donations are of the utmost importance to the foundation.
Bank details
IBAN bank number NL29 ABNA 0430 409 699
BIC/Swift code: ABNANL2a
In name of UFW- Fonds Belmonte Arboretum
PO Box 9101, 6700 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
History
The Belmonte estate was founded at the end of the eighteenth century by Thierry Juste, baron De Constant Rebecque de Villars. Around 1845 he built a pompous villa in Italian style on the highest point in Belmonte. His father-in-law bought adjoining pieces of land until the estate beheld seventeen hectares. For many years, barons and baronesses inhabited the house, which became property of the provincial nature management foundation (Stichting Het Geldersch Landschap) in 1936. Unfortunately, the estate was destroyed at the end of World War II. Only ruins remained of the house and many trees were severely damaged. WUR (at that time still know as Agricultural University) bought the estate in 1951 for a small price to extend her botanical garden De Dreijen.
The restoration of Belmonte and the construction of the arboretum had advanced so much in 1954 that the botanical garden could open her doors. Except for the original strip of trees in the middle of the garden, only young trees existed; largely deciduous, as coniferous trees already existed in many other collections. To this day, Belmonte includes little coniferous trees. The ideas for the lay-out and revegetation came from professor Bijlhouwer and professor Venema.
Source: Website Belmonte Arboretum
Testimonial
Arboretum Belmonte is a unique place because of the large variety of trees and plants and the wide panoramic views. Here I feel the poetry of Hendrik Marsman ("Thinking of Holland I see wide rivers slowly going through infinite lowlands") come to life. With or without a dog, I am always welcome. I appreciate that the park is the backdrop for many activities as well. The maintenance of the garden requires a lot of work and money. I like to contribute to that, so that the Arboretum can continue to grow and prosper for many generations.
For events and guided walks, see the website Belmonte Arboretum Foundation.
Or join the community as volunteer.