Echten

• Name — Echten • Type — Village • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Netherlands • Subdivision Type1 — Province • Subdivision Name1 — Drenthe • Subdivision Type2 — Municipality • Subdivision Name2 — De Wolden • Elevation M — 9 • Area Total Km2 — 13.94 • Population Total — 365 • Population As Of — 2021 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Population Density Urban Km2 — auto • Time Zone — CET • Utc Offset — +1 • Time Zone Dst — CEST • Utc Offset Dst — +2 • Postal Code Type — Postal code • Postal Code — 7932 • Area Code Type — Dialing code • Area Code — 0528

Echten is an esdorp which developed in the Middle Ages around Huis te Echten. It was first mentioned in 1181 as "in villa Echtene". Huis te Echten was a havezate owned by the van Holthe tot Echten family who were in possession of the area, and oversaw the excavation the peat. A havezate was a requirement to be admitted to the Knights of Drenthe. The estate is surrounded by a double moat. It has been modified and restored many times during its history. The oldest parts of the estate are from the late 15th century. It is currently in use for the blind and visually handicapped. In 1840, Echten was home to 210 people. In 1953, an air watchtower was constructed in the forest near Echten to spot enemy planes flying under the radar. The tower was in operation until 1964. A sod house has been reconstructed in the village as a reminder of the past conditions. Het Echtens Paradijs (The Paradise of Echten) is a 1,200 ha nature area near the village.

• Illustration — View on the village • Illustration — Air watchtower • Illustration — The harbour of Echten • Illustration — Sod house in winter