Park Frankendael, Amsterdam

Park Frankendael brings together a historic country house and its adjoining park, and this is one of only two surviving country estates in Amsterdam. The house took shape from about 1659 through 1733, giving this place its long, layered history. Look at the wooden entrance portico: it carries the coat of arms of Jan Gildemeester Janszoon, who commissioned the gate in 1783 from architect Jacob Otten Husly.

The marble fountain by the house has an earlier journey of its own. Purchased in 1770, it came from the Driemond estate near Weesp; the fountain itself was made in 1714 by sculptor Ignatius van Logteren. The villa’s rooms are decorated in Louis XIV style, while its garden has an English design.

In the mid-20th century, architect Ben Merkelbach directed restoration of the neglected building, then used it as his office. Today, the carriage house contains a restaurant named for Merkelbach, and the house hosts events and weddings. In 2008, archaeological work found possible foundations of the estate’s old orangery in the backyard.