Dedemsvaart

Dedemsvaart ("Dedem's Canal") is a village in Overijssel, the Netherlands, with a population of about 12,000.

The town is located along an old canal, the Dedemsvaart proper, which lost its commercial importance after World War II. The area around Dedemsvaart, until 2001 part of the municipality of Avereest, was an important center for industry. Baron Willem Jan of Dedem, after whom canal and town were named, made a plan to dig a canal; construction began on 9 July 1809. Around two years later, in 1811, the canal had already reached Balkbrug. In 1845 the project got into financial trouble and the baron had to forfeit the canal of Dedemsvaart, until then a private possession, to the province of Overijssel, who took further care of the canal. Over the years the canal changed and eventually became unfit for commercial use.

Dedemsvaart proper lies near the N377 between Balkbrug and Lutten. The municipality of Avereest was disbanded in 2001 and became part of the municipality of Hardenberg.

Notable attractions

• Tuinen Mien Ruys, a complex of 25 gardens by noted Dutch landscape and garden architect Mien Ruys.

External links

• Tuinen Mien Ruys

Coordinates: 52°36′N 6°28′E / 52.6°N 6.467°E / 52.6; 6.467