A detour through Biotopwildpark AnHOLter Schweiz

Biotopwildpark AnHOLter Schweiz is located just across the Dutch border near Megchelen, a village in the Achterhoek. You can enjoy walking here, watch the animals in the wildlife park and have a cup of coffee in the special Schweizer Häuschen.

Alpine romance
Originally Anholter Schweiz'just\\\' was an English landscape park that belonged to Anholt Castle. At the end of the nineteenth century, the lord of the castle Leopold zu Salm-Salm went on a honeymoon to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. After his return, he had a copy of this lake constructed in 1893, to scale of course. He also had a Swiss chalet and a rock formation recreated. The stones and wood were brought to Anholt from Switzerland by boats and horse-drawn wagons.

bear forest
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the English Garden, a national monument, the park was expanded with a 56 hectare wildlife park. From the sandy roads you will find typical landscape examples and biotopes for this region, large aviaries. There are also restricted areas where wild animals live, such as the Bear Forest where once abused collared bears and brown bears enjoy their new and safe habitat. For entrance prices, go to: http://www.anHOLter-schweiz.de/de/visitorsinformatie/entree Prices.

Castle Anholt
If you are in the area, take a look at the castle to which the park belongs: Anholt Castle. The origin of this impressive moated castle lies in a fortress from the twelfth century. Over the centuries, the castle has been regularly renovated. A museum has been opened in the castle. You can, among other things, be there the largest private collection of paintings in North Rhine-Westphalia. This collection contains many works by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Jan van Goyen. The beautiful library and armory are also a must-see.