In the Netherlands, you find many castles which are open to the public. Around Castles, magnificent gardens and beautiful landscapes underline the wealth of Dutch nobility. Nowadays Dutch Castles are multi-purpose. Visiting a castle you might run into a wedding party; a hobbit event or a medieval costume show. Castles are popular locations for events. In this blog, I am going to tell you about some outstanding Dutch Castles. Sometimes the direct surroundings of a Castle are more interesting than the Castle itself.

Castle Doornenburg

The castle is in the east of Holland close to the German border near the village of Doornenburg. The Castle is connected to fortifications by a narrow wooden bridge. It is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved castles in the Netherlands.

History of castle Doornenburg

On Castles’s domain was already in the 9th century a fortified house, known under the name Villa Dorenburc. On the spot, a modest Castle arose in the 13th century. Over the centuries further extended to the bastion as it still can be seen. The building process continued till the 15th century. On the domain were living quarters, a chapel, and a farm. The latter is unique for a Dutch Castle. Castle Doornenburg remained inhabited until the 19th century. Then it hit in decline.

In 1936 the “Foundation to preserve van den Doornenburg Castle” was founded. The restoration started in 1937 and was completed in 1941. At the end of the Second World war, the castle was almost completely destroyed again. For a long time, it was thought that it was blown up by the Germans, but it turned out to have been hit in March 1945 by a British bombardment. From 1947 to 1968, the Castle rebuild entirely.

Visit Castle Doornenburg

Nowadays it is open to visitors. Around the castle is a poetry route that leads you by an oak tree of hundred years old. After the walk, you can take a rest on the terrace of a little restaurant on the domain.

Today’s tourists were the mercenaries in ancient times. Realize that you are at an important strategic point in Dutch military history and geographically this is underlined by the entrance of the River Rhine in Holland near Doornenburg at a stone’s throw from the Castle. Where the Rhine enters Holland the Dutch Delta begins.

Walk along slow rivers meandering through endless lowlands leaving sediments in the flood plain meanwhile creating our incredibly fertile country. Strolling through a natural park along grazing herds I reached the very point where the river Rhine enters Holland and splits up in two river arms. The River Waal is the mightiest waterway with lots of shipping traffic coming from Rotterdam Harbour.

The water in the river Waal seems very clean. You can sunbathe along the river on fine sandy beaches and take a swim between breakwaters but watch out the currents are treacherous. Driftwood will fuel the fire which can keep you warm when the weather does not cooperate.

For an impression of Doornenburg Castle, fly a bird’s eye view over the castle, medieval courtyard, castle walls, and the surrounding meadows. After seeing these images, you definitely want to visit Castle Doornenburg. Make your visit to castle Doornenburg extra special and book one of the bedrooms in the outer bailey with a delicious noble breakfast. In the courtyard of the castle is the Inn Doornenburg. I recommend the grand High Tea, it’s more than delicious.

Opening hours: Regular tours from 1 April to 29 October on Sundays at 13.30, 14.30, and 15.30.
In July and August also Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11.00, 13.30, 14.30, and 15.30.
Especially for the children on the 3rd Sunday of the month, the Knights are present in the Castle!
Address: Navigate to Kerkstraat 27 in Doornenburg. More information tel.:06 228 50 331
Nearby: in Arnhem, you find the Open Air Museum Holland.
Nearby: Fort Pannerden, navigate or walk to Waaldijk 1, 6686 Doornenburg.
Historic pictures and information: On the site of Joyce Derksen you find beautiful pictures and detailed information about the history of Castle Doornenburg.