Blijdensteinpark

The Blijdensteinpark was originally an estate with a villa. Boulevard 1945 runs straight through the park. The section on the south side of Boulevard 1945 is mainly used as a play area for children.

In 1855, the couple H.G. Blijdenstein-Ebeling built a white villa on Helweg, later known as Gronausestraat. Their daughter, Johanna Ida Beltman-Blijdenstein, was the last resident of the villa. The old Hessenweg ran straight through the estate, and the new Boulevard 1945 was also planned to cut through the area.

Several artworks are located in the park: Excalibur Pretending, two wind-driven sculptures of interlocking squares by artist Alwie Oude Aarninkhof; Evoluzione del Cerchio, a circular sculpture by Carmelo Cappello; and Eight and a Half Minutes to See, a pyramid-shaped structure by Karin Bosch. The park is also home to the Indië Monument, created by Hans Petrie, featuring a bronze sculpture of a person seeking protection.

In 1958, the last resident of the villa donated the estate to the Municipality of Enschede, allowing the extension of Boulevard 1945. The villa was then allocated to the Textile History Foundation, and in 1962, a textile museum was opened in the building. Today, the villa serves as an exhibition space and is known as Villa de Bank.

Photos via Architectuurgids Enschede.