Tea Dome Sterrebos (Theekoepel Sterrebos)

About this architecture.

In 1765 the Sterrenbos was built in the east of the city of Groningen. This park, with eight avenues each leading in its own direction from the center, was originally intended for hunting. Hunters could look in all directions from the intersection of the avenues and see the wildlife crossing the avenues.

In 1818 Sebastiaan Mattheus Sigismund de Ranitz bought a piece of land right next to the Sterrebos in Groningen. De Ranitz was the main recipient of indirect taxes in Groningen and Drenthe. That meant that he collected from all people the indirect taxes such as excise duties and gave that to the receiver general. S.M.S de Ranitz lived on the edge of the Sterrebos with his wife Edzardina Johanna Tjass. He had a large garden laid out on this spot. The dome was also part of this garden.

In the same year, S.M.S. de Ranitz to build the garden dome, as an extension of the central avenue of the Sterrebos. This garden dome probably served as a summer house, where Mr. De Ranitz could receive his guests. Garden domes from this time had only a recreational function. The domes were built as an expression of wealth, luxury and abundance. Garden domes played an important role in the social life of the owners.

De Ranitz died in 1916. In 1927 the municipality issued a permit to serve tea in the dome. In 1937, owner De Haan wants to expand the building with a kitchen, but does not receive a permit. From 1939 Siep van den Berg rents the dome and used it as a studio. Van den Berg moved to Amsterdam in 1954, but still keeps the dome in Groningen as a studio.

In 1956, municipal archivist Schuitema wrote a letter in which he discussed the history of the Groningen garden domes and the value of the garden dome on Hereweg. The tea dome could not stand the plans for a major road south of the Southern Cemetery. That is why the tea dome was demolished in 1963 and rebuilt in 1964 at its current location at 122 Hereweg.

Facts & Figures.

• District
  Helpman

• Year of creation
  1817