The Basement with Ladies' and Gentlemen's Toilets

You are near De De Kelder with Ladies and Gentlemen's toilets. The green tiles on the wall, the black and white checkered pattern on the floor and the white porcelain sanitary ware are the same as the original style. Contemporary materials have been chosen with a stylish nod to the past.

In this cellar were various rooms with very functional applications. Think of the storage of coal, vegetables and wines. Here you will find the servants' room for the outside workers and the heating room.

There was also a pantry, this was specifically designed as a cool, ventilated storage area for food supplies, while the existing household cellar was more versatile and is used for the general storage of various household supplies.

The war

On Tuesday, September 5, 1944, there was a real frenzy in the Netherlands and in Vught.

Huize Bergen was one of the headquarters of the German air force army.

In a radio address, Prime Minister Gerbrandy announced that allied armies had crossed the Dutch border. People took to the streets to celebrate the liberation. The joy lasted only a day, because it quickly became clear that the message was not true. The Second World War was still in full swing in the Netherlands.

Several times soldiers were billeted here, unfortunately the Allies were under the impression that the house was still occupied by the Germans. They shelled De Villa day and night in the hope of overpowering these last Germans.

Here in this cellar on 26 October 1944 the Van Beuningen family was hiding with friends, employees of the Estate and fleeing farmers' families; they talk about 35 people. Fortunately, there was a cow present, which was in another part of the cellar. They had fresh milk for the baby and other children.

There was a lot of fighting in and around the house. The noise was indescribable, the sound of broken windows and falling rocks. People thought the house would collapse.

One day the shooting stopped and Willem and Charlotte crept upstairs and cautiously looked out. The Allies were approaching De Villa, whereupon Charlotte shouted: "Come and save us, we are friends!" The Scottish Black Watch regiment had liberated them.