Berg en Dal

Berg en Dal is a historic plantation site and eco-cultural resort in the resort of Klaaskreek, Brokopondo District, Suriname, located on the Suriname River. Its origins trace to 1713, when a military outpost was founded near Mount Parnassus (now called the Blauwe Berg) to protect the colony against attacks by Maroons. In 1722, a sugar plantation was established by Hendrik Temminck, then governor of Suriname. A wood plantation named Berg en Dal was founded in 1737. Following a 1762 peace agreement with the Saramaka, the military post was disbanded. In 1830 the Moravian Church began missionary activities among the enslaved people and founded the first church in 1839. After the abolition of slavery the plantation declined and in 1870 it was sold by auction to the Moravian Church. The construction of the Avobakaweg to Paramaribo in 1968 triggered migration to the city, and the Surinamese Interior War led to near abandonment of the village, with only one person remaining. In 1999 the Wederopbouw Berg en Dal foundation was established to revitalise the village. In 2003 the church collapsed. The Moravian Church entered a joint venture with hotel Krasnapolsky in Paramaribo, and in 2008 the former plantation was transformed into the Berg en Dal Eco & Cultural Resort, a luxury holiday resort with 150 rooms for ecotourism. The site is also the birthplace of Johannes Helstone (1853–1927), a composer, pianist and writer.

Berg en Dal's history begins in 1713, when a military outpost was founded near Mount Parnassus, nowadays called the Blauwe Berg, to protect the colony against attacks of the Maroons (runaway slaves). In 1722, a sugar plantation was founded by Hendrik Temminck, the governor of Suriname at the time. In 1737, a wood plantation was founded and named Berg en Dal. In 1762, a peace agreement was signed with the Saramaka, and the military post was disbanded. In 1830, the Moravian Church embarked on missionary activities among the slaves and founded the first church in 1839. After the abolition of slavery, the plantation suffered a period of decline, and in 1870 it was sold by auction to the Moravian Church. In 1968, the Avobakaweg to Paramaribo was constructed, which triggered a migration to the city. The Surinamese Interior War finally resulted in a near abandonment of the village; only one person remained. In 1999, the Wederopbouw Berg en Dal foundation was established to revitalise the village. In 2003, the church collapsed. The Moravian Church started a joint venture with hotel Krasnapolsky in Paramaribo, and in 2008 the former plantation was transformed into the Berg en Dal Eco & Cultural Resort, a luxury holiday resort with 150 rooms for ecotourism.

• 2008

  Former plantation transformed into Berg en Dal Eco & Cultural Resort with 150 rooms.

• 2003

  Church collapsed.

• 1999

  Wederopbouw Berg en Dal foundation established to revitalise the village.

• 1968

  Avobakaweg to Paramaribo constructed, triggering migration to the city.

• 1870

  Plantation sold by auction to the Moravian Church after decline.

• 1839

  First church founded.

• 1830

  Moravian Church began missionary activities among the slaves.

• 1762

  Peace agreement signed with the Saramaka; military post disbanded.

• 1737

  Wood plantation founded and named Berg en Dal.

• 1722

  Sugar plantation founded by Hendrik Temminck, governor of Suriname.

• 1713

  Military outpost founded near Mount Parnassus (Blauwe Berg) to protect against Maroon attacks.

Luxury eco-cultural resort and heritage destination on the Suriname River.

• Berg en Dal Eco & Cultural Resort

  Luxury holiday resort with 150 rooms for ecotourism, opened in 2008.

1. 1Berg en Dal - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Berg en Dal, Suriname - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org