[2/27/04]The Dutch ambassador to England and 14 other international visitors here for the “The Glory of Baroque Dresden” exhibit in Jackson took time for a Vicksburg tour Thursday.

The Count and Countess Jan de Marchant et d’Ansembourg took a whirlwind tour of the city that included the Old Court House Museum, downtown and some of the city’s antebellum homes.

“There is so much to see,” said the countess. “There’s not enough time for it all.”

The group had lunch at Borello’s on Washington Street between ceremonies in Jackson and a reception Thursday night at the Governor’s Mansion. Dutch artist Alwin van der Linde, who arranged the group’s visit to Vicksburg after visiting the city during the “Majesty of Spain” exhibit in 2001, said they only had two days in Mississippi and wanted to make Vicksburg a main stop.

Van der Linde’s work has been featured in the Washington Street Gallery, an art shop owned by Jack Kyle, the state’s Cultural Exchange executive director.

“Vicksburg is so interesting because of the Civil War and the view of the Mississippi River,” van der Linde said.

Although there was not enough time to tour all of the Vicksburg National Military Park, the Countess d’Ansembourg said they got a good education about the war during their tour.

“We were very impressed with the Old Court House,” she said.

“The Glory of Baroque Dresden” exhibit opens in Jackson Monday and will be open daily for tours until Sept. 6.