The history of the Bulb Region
The Bulb Region is a region in the western part of the Netherlands known for its colorful bulb fields. But how did this region originate and what has flower bulb cultivation meant to the history and culture of the Bulb Region? In this article, we go back in time and discover how the Bulb Region developed into a unique and diverse area.
From dunes and beach ridges to bulb fields
The Bulb Region is located in an area inhabited by humans thousands of years ago. The region is bordered by the North Sea, the Old Rhine, the Haarlemmermeer and the Kagerplassen. The landscape consists of different types of soil, created by the influence of the sea, rivers and wind. There are the young dunes and the old dunes, which are also called beach ridges. These dune ridges run in a north-south direction and were formed by the deposition of sand by the sea. Between the dune ridges are the beach plains, which are lower and moister and where peat has formed. East of the dunes, the landscape transitions into the peat meadow area, which consists of low-lying grasslands. On the southern side of the region, along the Rhine, clay was deposited, which is fertile for agriculture.
The first inhabitants of the region settled on the beach ridges, where it was dry and safe. They lived from hunting, fishing and farming. They built fortified houses and castles, such as 't Huys Dever in Lisse, the ring castle Teylingen in Sassenheim and castle Oud-Poelgeest in Oegstgeest. They grew grain, flax, hops and other crops on the sandy soils. They cut peat in the peat bogs and burned lime from the shells of the beach. They also specialized in growing fine vegetables, fruits and herbs, which they sold to the towns.
Flower bulb cultivation did not take off in the Bulb Region until the second half of the nineteenth century. Flower bulbs originally came from Turkey and were brought to Holland in the sixteenth century. In the seventeenth century there was a veritable tulip craze, with the prices of bulbs rising and falling dramatically. Bulb cultivation then concentrated mainly around Haarlem, where the sandy soils were suitable for bulbs. In the nineteenth century, bulb cultivation expanded to other areas, including the Bulb Region. Bulb growers bought or leased pieces of land from farmers, who gave up their fields and pastures for bulb cultivation. Bulb cultivation proved to be very profitable, especially through exports abroad. The bulb growers built large bulb barns and bulb villas, which still define the appearance of the region. The bulb fields also became a tourist attraction, attracting many visitors from home and abroad. The bulb-growing industry thus had a great influence on the landscape, economy and culture of the Bulb Region.
From farmers and bulbs to art and culture
The Bulb Region is not only a region of flowers, but also of people. The region has a rich and varied history and culture, which is reflected in its monuments, museums, events and traditions. There are the many historic buildings, such as the churches, castles, mills, bulb barns and country houses, which bear witness to the region's past. There are also the museums, which show the history and culture of the region, such as the Museum De Zwarte Tulp in Lisse, the Museum Noordwijk in Noordwijk, the Streekmuseum Veldzicht in Noordwijk, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden and the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem. There are also the events, which bring life to the region in spring, such as Keukenhof, the largest flower park in the world, the Flower Parade, the colorful parade of floats, and the Flower Days, the decoration of villages with mosaics of flowers. There are also the traditions, which strengthen the identity and belonging of the region, such as the carnival, the fair, the holiday week, the palm Easter parade, the gondola procession and the St. Nicholas parade.
The Bulb Region is also a region of art and culture. The region has produced or inspired many artists and writers, who have captured the beauty and atmosphere of the region in their works. There are the painters, who painted the bulb fields, the dunes, the sea and the villages, such as Anton L. Koster, Leo Klein-Diepold, Willem Jansen, Jan Hillebrand Wijsmuller and Jan Wolkers. There are also the writers, who have described the stories and history of the region, such as Godfried Bomans, Maarten 't Hart, Renate Dorrestein, Jan Siebelink and Harry Mulisch. There are also the poets, who have expressed the emotions and thoughts of the region, such as Albert Verwey, Henriëtte Roland Holst, Martinus Nijhoff, Gerrit Achterberg and Leo Vroman. There are also the musicians, who have expressed the sounds and rhythms of the region, such as Joop Stokkermans, Herman van Veen, Boudewijn de Groot, Lenny Kuhr and Jan Smit.
The Bulb Region is a region with a long and rich history and culture, characterized by flower bulb cultivation. The region is a source of inspiration and a destination for many who want to see, experience and admire it. The region is a unique and versatile area, worth discovering.