Nederland - Kasteel Doornenburg

Kasteel Doornenburg (Doornenburg Castle) - located next to the village with the same name - was first mentioned in 1295. It consists of the main castle and a front castle which are connected via a small wooden bridge. It is one of the biggest and most well-preserved castles in the Netherlands.

Kasteel Doornenburg was originally a fortified manor - known as Villa Dorenburc - built in the 9th century. In the 13th century the manor was converted into a proper castle. Gradually, through the centuries, the castle was expanded further into its current form. The front castle was built in the 15th century. It contains sleeping quarters, a chapel and a farm, the latter being quite a unique feature for a Dutch castle.

Kasteel Doornenburg was occupied until the 19th century. After the last resident, Maria Clara van Delwig, died in 1847, Kasteel Doornenburg fell into disrepair. In 1936 the castle was bought, in dilapidated shape, by a local industrialist J.H. van Heek, who handed it over to the Stichting tot Behoud van den Doornenburg (Foundation for Preservation of the Doornenburg). A large restoration followed, which was completed in 1941
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By the end of the World War II the castle became a German headquarter and in March 1945 it was almost completely destroyed by a British bombardment. The castle was rebuilt again by the foundation between 1947 and 1968.

Nowadays Kasteel Doornenburg houses a museum and can be visited.