In the heart of the historic city of Buren stands an impressive Renaissance building that has been a silent witness to centuries of Dutch history: the Orphanage. Founded in 1612 on the initiative of Maria van Nassau, the daughter of Prince William of Orange and Anna van Egmont, this building spread as a home for orphans from the region. Maria, who was childless herself, donated part of her wealth to provide these children with not only shelter, but also education and skills, so that they were prepared for an independent future.
The imposing facade of the orphanage is adorned by a gate surmounted by the coat of arms of Mary. Inside, the echoes of the past can still be heard, from the footsteps on the old tiled floors to the conversations under the wooden beams. After serving as a refuge for orphans for many years, the Orphanage has now been given a new lease of life as the Buren & Oranje Museum. Here, visitors delve into the rich history of the bond between Buren and the House of Orange, and get a glimpse of life in this extraordinary house through the ages.
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