Urdal

At Rooi Catootje, between the Urdalweg and the Magdalenaweg, lies the small, almost unknown little garden Urdal. Here stands the ruin of a small landhuis that could formerly be reached via the Magdalenaweg, but this access road has meanwhile become entirely overgrown.

The plantaadje is built in typical landhuis style and dates from the 19th century. By the kitchen stands a square rain tank, and there are no older outbuildings besides.

It is named after a previous owner, the skipper Oerdal. Older documents mention that at the beginning of the 18th century he had bought the grounds of De Savaan from the Indians.

In 1888 Ana Sophie Urdal was owner of this property, which was kept by townspeople mainly as a country house. It was also written Urda(a)l or Uhrdal and had the aliases Ro(o)zendaal or Arrarat.

The drawing teacher and artist Henrica "Ria" Houwen (1947–2025) lived in the little landhuis for 38 years. Thanks to its central location yet hidden "in the mondi" (bush), it proved the ideal place to find inspiration, work undisturbed and set up a studio where she could also give courses.

The present owners of the property live abroad.