33 Best Castles in the Netherlands

I had the good fortune to visit the Netherlands. While we spent the lion’s share of our time in Amsterdam, we took a train up to Enkhuizen which is a town my father spent much of his childhood until he came to Canada.

Because our European trip was a whirlwind tour of 5 countries in 2 weeks, we didn’t get to visit any castles in the Netherlands. Next time for sure. In the meantime, I must enjoy them via photos.

While the UK and Germany are especially known for their castles, Holland has a good number of beauties. Below is a terrific gallery of some fabulous Dutch castles and manor houses. Enjoy.

Photos

Zuylen Castle

Zuylen Castle was originally built in the 13th century by lord van Suilen en Anholt. It was completely demolished during the 15th century and was rebuilt in the early 16th century and was remodeled again in the 18th century by Diederik Jacob van Tuyll van Serooskerken, the owner of the castle at that time. Today, it operates as a museum and is open to the public.

About the Zuylen Castle

• Where: Oud-Zuilen, Netherlands
• When: 13th century
• Who built it: Lord van Suilen en Anholt
• Style: Medieval architecture
• What is it now? Museum / Open to the public
• Current owner: Village of Oud-Zuilen

Staverden Castle

Staverden Castle is located in the smallest city in Benelux and may even be the smallest city in the world. It was rebuilt multiple times over the centuries, however, the current building dates back to 1905 built by Herman Theodore s’Jacob, a descendant of a prominent family. Today, the castle serves as an event venue owned by a private owner.

About the Staverden Castle

• Where: Staverden, Netherlands
• When: 1905
• Who built it: Herman Theodore s’Jacob
• Style: Art Nouveau style
• What is it now? Event venue
• Current owner: Private owner

Schaloen Castle

Schaloen Castle, locally known as Kasteel Schaloen of Chaloen was built in 1200 as a defensive fortress commissioned by the family Van Hulsberg. In the early 15th century, Johan Struver van Hulsberg acquired the castle and his family lived there for one and a half century. The castle then came into the possession of De Villers Masbourg-family through marriage in 1894 and ordered the famous Dutch architect dr. PHJ. Cuypers to reconstruct the castle into the neo-Gothic style. Today, the Bot family owns the castle and turned it into a hotel.

About the Schaloen Castle

• Where: Schin op Geul, Netherlands
• When: 1200 / Reconstructed in 1894
• Who built it: Van Hulsberg family / Reconstructed by De Villers Masbourg-family
• Style: Neo-Gothic style
• What is it now? Hotel
• Current owner: Private owner

Schaffelaar Castle

The original Schaffelaar Castle was built many years before it was reconstructed in the mid 19th century. The first castle was destroyed by a fire and was completely destroyed. Then in 1852, Baron Van Zuylen van Nievelt built a new castle, still named after the folk hero, Jan van Schaffelaar. The baron commissioned the castle to be built in Neo-Gothic style and Tudor Revival style combination. His family owned the castle until 1935 when they could no longer afford the prohibitive maintenance costs. After the Second World War, the property was acquired by the municipality of Barneveld, restored it and turned it into an event venue.

About the Schaffelaar Castle

• Where: Barneveld, Netherlands
• When: 1852
• Who built it: Baron Van Zuylen van Nievelt
• Style: Neo-Gothic style / Tudor Revival style
• What is it now? Events venue
• Current owner: Municipality of Barneveld

Rosendael Castle

Rosendael is a Dutch castle constructed in the early 14th century belonged to the counts of Gelder until 1526. After many years of ownership, the last count owner sold the property to Dirck van Dorth who made many changes and modifications to the estate. After the van Dorth family, the next owner, the Van Arnhem family commissioned architect Daniel Marot to restore the whole estate to its former glory in 1732. During World War 2, the castle was destroyed and fell into complete ruins, however, it was saved by Baron van Pallandt and partially restored it before donating the whole property to the Geldersch Landscape and opened it to the public.

About the Rosendael Castle

• Where: Gelderland, Netherlands
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Counts of Gelder
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Open to the public
• Current owner: Geldersch Landscape

Ravenshof Castle

Obbicht Castle

A castle-like country house from 1780, Obbicht Castle originated from the middle ages. In 1585, a new house replaced the old castle, but this building was burned down and instead of restoring, the owners constructed a new country house in 1780. Today, the Baroque country house is considered a national monument owned by Cockerill-Sambre.

About the Obbicht Castle

• Where: Gelderland, Netherlands
• When: 1780
• Who built it: Unknown
• Style: Baroque architecture
• What is it now? National Monument
• Current owner: Cockerill-Sambre

Hoensbroek Castle

Hoensbroek Castle, locally known as Kasteel Hoensbroek is one of the largest castles in the Netherlands. Situated in Hoensbroek, a town in the province of Limburg, the original building was built in 1360 by the powerful Hoen family, replacing the former 1250 fortification that was demolished. This fortification was ordered by Sir Herman Hoen, the first lord of Hoensbroek, and throughout the successive ownership, this building fell into decay at the end of the 18th century. In 1927, the current owner Frans Lothar van Hoensbroek sold the castle to a Roman Catholic foundation, “Ave Rex Christi” and restored the castle to its former glory. Today, the castle serves as a museum and can be visited for free.

About the Hoensbroek Castle

• Where: Hoensbroek, Netherlands
• When: 1360
• Who built it: Lord Herman Hoen of Hoensbroek
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Museum / Open to the public
• Current owner: Ave Rex Christi

Heerlen Castle

Situated in Heerlen, this water castle was notably built by Lord Herman Hoen of Hoensbroek in 1360. It was expanded by the following generations until it became the largest stronghold between the Meuse and the Rhine rivers.

About the Heerlen Castle

• Where: Heerlen, Netherlands
• When: 1360
• Who built it: Lord Herman Hoen of Hoensbroek
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Museum / Open to the public
• Current owner: Private owner

Doorwerth Castle

Situated on the river Rhine near the city of Arnhem, Doorwerth is a medieval castle originally built in the 13th century. It was besieged in 1260 and was burned down. After a few renovations, the property then changed owners a few times over the centuries. During World War 2, it was severely destroyed and was reconstructed by the “Friends of the Castles of Gelderland”, a foundation who now maintains the castle as a museum.

About the Doorwerth Castle

• Where: Arnhem, Netherlands
• When: 13th century
• Who built it: Unknown
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Museum
• Current owner: Friends of the Castles of Gelderland

Estate House Den Berg in Dalfsen MIllingen

Zeist Castle

The Zeist Castle was built on the ruins of the original “Kasteel Zeist” of Rodgar van Zeist. The new castle, commonly known as “Slot Zeist” was built by Count Willem Adriaan van Nassau in the 17th century following the Dutch Classicist style.

About the Zeist Castle

• Where: Zeist, Netherlands
• When: 17th century
• Who built it: Count Willem Adriaan van Nassau
• Style: Dutch Classicist style
• What is it now? Museum
• Current owner: Municipality of Zeist

Castle Twickel

Although mentioned in 1347 owned by the Van Twickelo family, Twickel’s oldest surviving building was built in the 16th century designed in Renaissance style. This historical country estate was successively owned by the Van Twickelo family for many generations. Today, the castle is open for guided tours maintained by the Twickel Foundation.

About the Castle Twickel

• Where: Delden, Netherlands
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Van Twickelo family
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Open for tourists
• Current owner: Twickel Foundation

Stoutenburg Castle

The Stoutenburg Castle was founded by Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in Baroque style architecture.

About the Stoutenburg Castle

• Where: Stoutenburg, Netherlands
• When: 17th century
• Who built it: Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
• Style: Baroque architecture
• What is it now? –
• Current owner: –

Castle Slangenburg

A castle in the municipality of Doetinchem, Netherlands, Slangenburg Castle was constructed in the Late Medieval period. By the 17th century, General Frederik Johan van Baer owns the castle as his official residence. The last private owners were a German family called Passmann, however, the castle, including all German properties were confiscated by the Dutch government. Now, the castle is open to the public.

About the Slangenburg Castle

• Where: Doetinchem, Netherlands
• When: Late Medieval period
• Who built it: Unknown
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Open to the public
• Current owner: Kingdom of the Netherlands

Castle Radboud

Radboud Castle was commissioned by Floris V, Count of Holland in 1288. It is one of a number of castles in North Holland, which was restored by the State architect J. van Lokhorst in the 20th century. Today, it is open to the public maintained by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

About the Radboud Castle

• Where: North Holland, Netherlands
• When: 1288
• Who built it: Floris V, Count of Holland
• Style: –
• What is it now? Open to the public
• Current owner: Kingdom of the Netherlands

Castle of Renswoude

Renswoude castle was originally built between 1350 and 1375. During the 16th century, it was known as a knight royal residence. Johan van Reede acquired the castle in the mid-17th century and replaced it with a new castle, which would be the Renswoude Castle known today. His successors would improve and extend the castle over the years. Today, Renswoude is open to the public owned by Baron Taets van Amerongen.

About the Renswoude Castle

• Where: Renswoude, Netherlands
• When: 1654
• Who built it: Johan van Reede
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Open to the public
• Current owner: Baron Taets van Amerongen

Castle of Mheer

Mheer Castle was the Van Imstenraedt family residence until 1668 when they were replaced by the De Loë family as the castle’s owners. The current castle was the result of a rebuilding done over the foundations of the original medieval building in the 17th century. Currently, the castle is a national monument still owned by the De Loë family.

About the Mheer Castle

• Where: Mheer, Netherlands
• When: Reconstructed in the 17th century
• Who built it: Reconstructed by the De Loë family
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? National monument
• Current owner: De Loë family

Zypendaal Castle

Located in the north of Arnhem, Zypendaal Castle was built by the Arnhem Brantsen as a regent family mansion in 1762-1764. They lived in the Renaissance mansion until 1926. Today, it is open to the public.

About the Zypendaal Castle

• Where: Arnhem, Netherlands
• When: 1762-1764
• Who built it: Arnhem Brantsen
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Open to the public
• Current owner: City of Arnhem

Arnhem Castle

Muiden Castle

Muiden Castle is a castle in the Netherlands that originated as a stone castle built by Count Floris V in 1280. However, this castle was demolished and was replaced by a new Muiden Castle which is known today. It was built by Albert I, Duke of Bavaria in the 14th century and is currently a national museum that was well-preserved.

About the Muiden Castle

• Where: Muiden, Netherlands
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Albert I, Duke of Bavaria
• Style: Gothic style
• What is it now? National Museum
• Current owner: City of Muiden

Vorden Castle

Vorden castle was believed to be built around the early 14th century. It was looted in the Eighty Years War then it was neglected after the Second World War until the Municipality of Vorden took over and restored it. Today, the castle operates as a wedding venue under a private owner.

About the Vorden Castle

• Where: Vorden, Netherlands
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Unknown
• Style: Gothic style
• What is it now? Wedding venue
• Current owner: Private owner

Ruurlo Castle

Ruurlo Castle is known as one of the prettiest castles in the Achterhoek. Built by the noble Van Heeckeren family in the 15th century, the knightly family of Van Heeckeren made this castle their official residence for generations until the Second World War. The estate also includes the world-famous maze created by Lady Sophie van Heeckeren in 1890. In 2012, Hans and Monique Melchers of the Museum MORE bought the castle and opened it as a Museum in 2017.

About the Ruurlo Castle

• Where: Achterhoek, Netherlands
• When: 15th century
• Who built it: Van Heeckeren family
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Museum / Open to the public
• Current owner: Museum MORE

Huis Doorn

Huis Doorn was originally built as a villa or an estate governed by a dean. Huis Doorn’s dean in the 13th century remodeled the estate into a castle and ruled the surrounding lands as a noble. This angered the Bishop, and with the help of Willem III, Count of Holland, the first Huis Doorn was destroyed. A new dean under the Bishop named Hendrik van Mierlaer rebuilt the castle in 1357. The castle was ruled successively until it was left to decay in the 17th century. It was then rebuilt by Reynier van Golsteyn. At the end of the 18th century, Wendela Eleonora ten Hove, Lady of Doorn, Den Bosch and Sleeburg bought the castle and gave it its present form, the Neo-Renaissance building that the German Emperor, Wilhelm II purchased as his residence-in-exile in 1920–1941 following his abdication after World War I.

About the Huis Doorn

• Where: Doorn, Netherlands
• When: 13th century / Reconstructed in the 18th century
• Who built it: Reconstructed by Wendela Eleonora ten Hove, Lady of Doorn
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? National Museum / National heritage site
• Current owner: Town of Doorn

Helmond Castle

Located in the city of Helmond in the province of Brabant, Helmond Castle was built by a member of the Van Berlaer family around 1325 to replace a former castle owned by their family. The Van Berlaer family was then succeeded by the Cortenbach family and in the late 17th century, the castle came into the possession of the Arberg family before it was claimed by Frederik Carel Wesselman in 1781. The castle suffered considerable damages throughout the following centuries and in 1921, Helmond Castle was sold to the municipality of Helmond by the last Lady of the family. Today, the castle houses a museum and is a popular wedding venue in the area.

About the Helmond Castle

• Where: Helmond, Netherlands
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Van Berlaer family
• Style: Gothic style / Renaissance style
• What is it now? Museum / Wedding Venue
• Current owner: Municipality of Helmond

Castle Groeneveld

Located in Baarn, Groeneveld Castle is an 18th-century country estate built by Marcus Mamuchet. After his death, the ownership of the castle fell into the hands of Lucas van der Dussen, who made a few remodeling and modifications in the estate. In the following years, Groeneveld Castle and its park rank as one of the most beautiful estates in Holland and became home to the National Center for Woodland, Wildlife and Landscape since 1981.

About the Groeneveld Castle

• Where: Baarn, Netherlands
• When: 18th century
• Who built it: Marcus Mamuchet
• Style: Baroque architecture
• What is it now? Open to tourists / Tourist Destination
• Current owner: National Center for Woodland, Wildlife and Landscape

Duivenvoorde Castle

Duivenvoorde Castle was originally built in 1226 as a residential manor with a defensive system. It was built and owned by the Van Duivenvoordes who passed the ownership of the castle to several generations of the family. Only nobles had owned this oldest castle in South Holland and were never sold. The last private owner, Jonkvrouwe Ludolphine Henriette, Baroness Schimmelpenninck van der Oye knew that in her death, the castle might get sold, so she decided to close the house and entrust it in the care of a foundation for restoration. Although operating as a museum, some parts of the castle are still inhabited by Ludolphine Emilie van Haersma Buma, Baroness Schimmelpenninck van der Oye since 2003.

About the Duivenvoorde Castle

• Where: Voorschoten, Netherlands
• When: 1226
• Who built it: Van Duivenvoorde family
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Museum / Some parts open to the public
• Current owner: Duivenvoorde Foundation

Huis Doorn

Huis Doorn was originally built as a villa or an estate governed by a dean. Huis Doorn’s dean in the 13th century remodeled the estate into a castle and ruled the surrounding lands as a noble. This angered the Bishop, and with the help of Willem III, Count of Holland, the first Huis Doorn was destroyed. A new dean under the Bishop named Hendrik van Mierlaer rebuilt the castle in 1357. The castle was ruled successively until it was left to decay in the 17th century. It was then rebuilt by Reynier van Golsteyn. At the end of the 18th century, Wendela Eleonora ten Hove, Lady of Doorn, Den Bosch and Sleeburg bought the castle and gave it its present form, the Neo-Renaissance building that the German Emperor, Wilhelm II purchased as his residence-in-exile in 1920–1941 following his abdication after World War I.

About the Huis Doorn

• Where: Doorn, Netherlands
• When: 13th century / Reconstructed in the 18th century
• Who built it: Reconstructed by Wendela Eleonora ten Hove, Lady of Doorn
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? National Museum / National heritage site
• Current owner: Town of Doorn

De Haar Castle

Located in Utrecht, Netherlands, De Haar Castle was a reconstructed version of the former castle that served the De Haar family in the 14th-15th centuries. After the De Haar family, the Van Zuylen family became the owners of the castle and in 1672, the castle suffered heavy damages and fell into ruin due to the French during the Rampjaar. The inheritor of the castle-ruins, Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt married Hélène de Rothschild, of the Rothschild family in 1887 and because of the Rothschilds wealth, the castle was fully restored following the design by the famous architect Pierre Cuypers. Today, it is the largest known castle in the whole of Holland and is the most visited castle in the whole of Netherlands, only next to the Muiden Castle. It is inhabited by the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt family during the month of September every year. With the exception of September, the castle is open as a museum all year long.

About the De Haar Castle

• Where: Utrecht, Netherlands
• When: Reconstructed in 1887
• Who built it: Pierre Cuypers
• Style: Neo-Gothic style
• What is it now? Museum / Open to the public
• Current owner: Foundation Kasteel de Haar

Arcen Castle

Arcen Castle was built in the 17th century commissioned by the Dukes of Gelre. Designed in Baroque architecture, the castle and its park is a very popular tourist destination in the town of Arcen.

About the Arcen Castle

• Where: Utrecht, Netherlands
• When: 17th century
• Who built it: Dukes of Gelre
• Style: Baroque architecture
• What is it now? Tourist Destination
• Current owner: Unclear

Bouvigne Castle

Bouvigne Castle was built to replace an old house. It was founded by Jan van Brecht and made a few modifications and expansions throughout the 16th century until it acquired its present form. The castle went into many different owners until it was acquired by the local municipality in 1930, however, it was sold to a private owner once again in 1971 and today, it serves as a tourist attraction and a wedding venue.

About the Bouvigne Castle

• Where: Breda, Netherlands
• When: 16th century
• Who built it: Jan van Brecht
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Tourist attraction
• Current owner: Private owner

Ammersoyen Castle

located in Ammerzoden in the Bommelerwaard region in the province of Gelderland, the Netherlands, Ammersoyen Castle was originally designed to be a defensive fortress. The exact date of the construction is unknown, but many sources claim that it was built in the early 12th century, however, some historians claim it was completed by Van Herlaer family in the mid 14th century. During that time, the castle was taken by force by Willem van Gulik, the Duke of Gelre and made the castle his residence for 25 years. When he left, Duke Reinald V gave the castle to his bastard son, Willem van Wachtendonk, who sold the castle to Johan van Broekhuizen, Lord of Waardenburg in 1424. This led to many changes in ownership of the castle over the centuries until, in 1957, the Friends of Gelderland Castles Foundation bought the castle and made several renovations. It was opened to the public after the renovations were completed.

About the Ammersoyen Castle

• Where: Gelderland, Netherlands
• When: 14th century
• Who built it: Van Herlaer family
• Style: Renaissance style
• What is it now? Tourist attraction / Open to the public
• Current owner: Friends of Gelderland Castles Foundation

More fabulous castles, palaces and manor houses