Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: schloß

The history of Kasteel Ruurlo or Huis Ruurlo (Ruurlo Castle) is dating back to the beginning of the 14th century, when it was first mentioned in the archives as a property of Graaf Reinhoud I van Gelre . The castle was first inhabited bij the family Van Roderlo, after which it is most probably named. Kasteel Ruurlo was several times renovated and expanded and shows architecture from five centuries. Its original lay-out is alomost inatct. Its current appearance dates from the 15th and 17th century. In the 15th century, it passed into the hands of Jacob van Heeckeren, the founder of the noble and distinguished family of Van Heeckeren. Castle and estate were owned and managed by the family for more than five centuries through to 1977. During World War II the castle was used as the headquarters of the German General Staff. In 1977 it passed into the hands of the municipality of Ruurlo and was used as town hall till 2005. Hans Melchers, a Dutch art collector, bought Kasteel Ruurlo in 2013. Four years later - after a thorough restoration - it became part of MORE (a museum for Dutch MOdern REalism) with paintings of famous painter Carel Willink and some special creations by the Chinese-Dutch fashion designer Fong Leng.

The history of Ruurlo Castle (Kasteel Ruurlo or Huis Ruurlo) is dating back to the beginning of the 14th century, when it was first mentioned in the archives as a property of Graaf Reinhoud I van Gelre . The castle was first inhabited bij the family Van Roderlo, after which it is most probably named. The castle was several times renovated and expanded and shows architecture from five centuries. Its original lay-out is alomost inatct. Its current appearance dates from the 15th and 17th century. In the 15th century, it passed into the hands of Jacob van Heeckeren, the founder of the noble and distinguished family of Van Heeckeren. Castle and estate were owned and managed by the family for more than five centuries through to 1977. During World War II the castle was used as the headquarters of the German General Staff. In 1977 it passed into the hands of the municipality of Ruurlo and was used as town hall till 2005. Hans Melchers, a Dutch art collector, bought Castle Ruurlo in 2013. Four years later - after a thorough restoration - it became part of MORE (a museum for Dutch MOdern REalism) with paintings of famous painter Carel Willink and some special creations by the Chinese-Dutch fashion designer Fong Leng.

The Fraeylemaborg originates in the year of 1300 as a strong stone house with thick walls (in the Dutch province of Groningen they were called “borg”). In 1475 there was already a farm with the name “Frealemaheerd”. In the archives of 1504 the name is found of one Remmer Fraeylema. In the 16th century, the house was expanded and became a moat. From 1670, both wings were added, resulting in a U-shaped building. Through the centuries many powerful families have made the Fraeylemaborg their home. In 1781 the Fraeylemaborg was sold to “Hendrik de Sandra Veldtman”. He rebuilt the Fraeylemaborg into its present shape. The Thomassen à Thuessink van der Hoop van Slochteren family lived until 1972 in the house. It was sold to the “Gerrit van Houten Stichting”. Nowadays is the Fraeylemaborg a museum, with an interior that illustrates how people lived in a luxury house. The interior consists of precious antiques and everyday personal objects and the collection includes works by the Dutch painter Gerrit van Houten (1866-1934). The museum is combined with a wide range of cultural events and temporary exhibitions. (During my second visit to the “borg” - second half of December 2018 - the rooms of the Fraeylemaborg were beautifully embellished with Christmas decorations: see PiP’s).

The history of Steninge began at the end of the 13th century when the first known settlement was established in this area. In 1667, Carl Gyllenstierna inherited the Steninge estate. His relationship with the queen allowed him to develop the estate and the beautiful areas around Lake Mälaren. In 1680 the well known architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger was asked to design a palace. He was inspired by the French and Italian baroque style.. In 1705 Steninge Slott (Steninge Palace or Steninge Manor) was completed, overlooking Swedish largest lake. Several buildings are dotted around the palace, in particular a huge stone barn dating from the end of the 19th century (PiP2), now housing several shops, an art gallery and a restaurant. Nowadays Steninge Slott is privately owned by a company and used for cultural events. Steninge Slott, is considered being “Sweden’s most beautiful and perfect baroque building”. I have to say that from a distances it looks quite good, but coming closer it was obvious that the manor could use some serious maintenance (PiP 1).

Castle Vorden was first mentioned in a deed from 1315, in which ‘Steven van Vorden’ the castle and outbuildings gave to his uncle, Dirk van Vorden. The castle probably dates from the 13th century, but it was very different from today. The square tower was certainly part of the medieval building, but the present castle for the most part was built in the 16th century. This square shape was then common. The castle lost in the course of centuries its defensive function and was rebuilt in the 19th century into a mansion. In 1873, the entrance was moved to the northern wing, with a wooden bridge across the moat. The castle was left to decay after the World War II until restoration took place in 1976 and it became city hall of the municipality of Vorden. In 2004 Castle Vorden was sold to a private invester, who restored the house to its former glory. Since then the castle is used as a wedding venue and hotel. Castle Vorden is one of the eight castles/mansions in and a round Vorden. There is a special bike route along these castles.

Den Bramel is one of the eight castles in and around the small village of Vorden. The history of Den Bramel is dating back to the year of 1396, when it was first mentioned. The present manor was built from 1720 – 1726 and a couple of times renovated and extended. The ‘castle’ is still privately owned and inhabited. The so called Achtkastelenroute (Eight Castles Route) is a special bike route along the castles.

The first defensive constructions on the place of the present Kalmar Castle were built in the 12 and 13th century. Kalmar Castle was an important fortification and known as the key to the kingdom because of its strategic location. The Swedish-Danish border was located only a short distance to the south, because the provinces of Scania and Blekinge were Danish territory for a long time. Kalmar Castle became its current design during the 16th century by several Vasa kings. They turned the medieval fortress into a renaissance castle. The castle suffered heavy damage during the Kalmar War of 1611-13 and was badly damaged by a fire in 1642. Repairs were begun but from the end of the seventeenth century the castle was allowed to fall into disrepair. In 1856 restorations were initiated restoration work at Kalmar Castle and by 1891 the castle had gained the silhouette it bears today. Early 20th century the earthworks, the moat, the bridge and the drawbridge were restored. Work continued until 1941, when the castle was once more surrounded by water. Today Kalmar Slott is one of Sweden's best preserved renaissance castles.

Deurne Castle, locally known as 'Groot Kasteel' or 'Nieuw Kasteel' (Great Castle or New Castle) was most probably built around 1397 by Gevard van Doerne. The castle was originally a square building with several turrets. Due to the thickness of the walls it is not likely that the building had a real military purpose. It is located in the swampy valley of a stream called the Vlier. It is more or less surrounded by the remains of a moat. In the 16th century the building was burned down and decades later plundered by Spanish troops. Mid 17th century the castle was enlarged. In 1759 the castle was bought by Theodorus de Smeth. His family also thoroughly rebuilt the castle and would own it until WW2. During the liberation of Deurne in 1944 the castle suffered heavily from allied fire and there were only remains left. Nowadays the ruin - which was consolidated in 2002 - of ‘Groot Kasteel Deurne’ is used by a youth association.

Glimmingehus is considered to be the best-preserved medieval castle in Sweden. The construction of the castle was started in 1499 (completed in 1505) knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand, who apparently terrorised the farmers of the region in the service of the king of Denmark. Sweden’s province of Skåne was part of Denmark at the time. The impressive castle is more of a ‘keep’. Glimmingehus contains many defensive arrangements of that era, such as parapets, false doors and dead-end corridors, 'murder-holes' for pouring boiling pitch over the attackers, a moat and drawbridge. The castle is 30 meters long, 12 meters wide; the highest point comes to almost 26 meters. The lower part of the castle's stone walls are 2.4 meters thick and the upper part 1.8 meters. Glimmingehus looks imposing, just a big stone box located on the vast fields of Österlen. Nowadays the castle is a museum; on site there are also a restaurant with medieval dishes, a shop and a coffee house.

The southern province of Skåne (Scania) offers wonderful Marvinsholm Slott. The estate already was mentioned as Bosöe, Borsöe and Bordsyö in the beginning of the 12th century. The present renaissance castle was built in 1644 - 1648 by the Danish noble Otto Marsvin, who renamed it after himself. Originally the castle was built on beech wood poles in a small lake and is still surrounded by a moat. The building forms a square in four floors and is provided with remarkable towers. Late 18th and mid 19th century there were major renovations and restorations to the castle. Marsvinsholm is privately owned and closed to the public; however, one can visit the (sculpture) park all year round. The red coloured castle is considered to be one of the five most beautiful castles of Sweden. It is located a couple of km’s west of the city of Ystad.

In 1988 traces of a fortress complex were found at the highest point of the city of Trelleborg. It turned out this wall belonged to a wooden ring fortress from the Viking Age. The fortress was built in the 980’s - most probably on orders from Harald Bluetooth, by that time king of Denmark. The Trelleborgen as it exists nowadays is a reconstruction from 1995, based on the archaeological finds, crafts traditions and educated guesses. The reconstructed quarter of the fortress lies in the middle of the city. The complex offers also a Vikingmuseum, a souvenir shop and a café.

The castle in Baños de la Encina has several names: Castillo de Burgalimar, Castillo de Baños de la Encina, Castillo de Bury Al-Hammam, which is derived from the Arabic Al-Hammam Bury, which means "castle of the baths”. The castle, located on a top of a hill above Baños de la Encina is the most important monument in the city. The construction of Castillo de Burgalimar started in the year of 967 by Caliph Al-Hakam II, as described by a plaque next to the entrance. Originally it was a mighty military fortress in the foothills of the Sierra Morena. It was given over through a treaty by the Muslims to the Christians in 1225. After that it was used continually - by several different ‘owners’ - until the middle of the 17th century. The site was redundant until 1850 when it was used as the city cemetery. This practice continued until 1928; three years later the castle was declared a national monument. The Bury Al-Hammam castle is one of the best preserved Moorish castles in Spain. The medium-sized stone building has an elliptical design and is surrounded by an impressive wall with fifteen towers and parapets. The Baños de la Encina Castle is also known as the ‘fortress of the seven kings’, due to the number of monarchs who lived here, including Ferdinand the Catholic.

Castle Schaloen - also named Chaloen - was first mentioned in 1375. It was owned by the knights Johan Struver van Hoelsbergh (or Hulsberg) and Geraerdt Mulaerdt. The last one became the full owner and the castle stayed within his family for the next one and a half century. During the Eighty Years' War (late 16th century) Schaloen was occupied by Lodewijk van Nassau, but a year later it was destroyed by Spanish troops. The ruined castle came in the hands of Johan Reinier Hoen van Cartiels, who rebuilt it in 1656, using local marl. Through marriage the castle came in possession of the De Villers Masbourg-family. Famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers was in charge of the restoration (1894) of the castle in a neo-Gothic style. The last owner of noble descent, a countess, left the castle in 1934. The castle has been used as a school, but nowadays it is a private house. The bailey and gate house are housing a restaurant and hotel. The buildings are surrounded by a moat.

Castle Nijenbeek was first mentioned in 1266, but most probably it was built around the year 1230 as a wooden keep, soon expanded into a stone castle and a fortified baily. First owner was Theodericus (Dirk), Lord of Nijenbeek. Its location on the banks of the river IJssel was very strategic, assuring control over the traffic on the river. Early 16th century Castle Nijenbeek lost its strategic importance and the Gelrian Duke Karel van Egmond sold the castle. Shortly after 1533 it was adjusted for permanent habitation. During the Eighty Years' War Nijenbeek was considerably damaged due to a Spanish siege in 1585 and a siege by the Dutch troops a year later. In 1672 the castle was used as headquarters by the State troops under the leadership of Johan Maurits van Nassau. The troops were supposed to prevent a French invasion over the IJssel. However the French occupied the entire region. Castle Nijenbeek, opposed to other castles, wasn't destroyed. In the middle of the 18th century and in the following centuries the castle underwent several renovations. In 1945 the whole castle was shelled by Canadian troops because it was used by the German troops as a lookout post. Despite emergency repairs, the roof finally caved in and the elements have taken their toll. All that remains of Castle Nijenbeek is a ruin that only can be viewed from a distance. Nowadays (early 2014) there is a new plan to consolidate the present situation preventing a totally collapse of Nijenbeek, Picture: the castle standing in the flooded floodplains of the river IJssel.

Castle Keukenhof (as the famous garden) has a rich history. The area was part of Teylingen Castle, where during the 15th century game was hunted and food collected in the woods and dunes for the kitchen of the castle (‘Keukenhof’ got its name, which means ‘kitchen courtyard’ in Dutch). The castle was constructed in 1642 by Adriaen Maertenszoon Block, a former Commander of the V.O.C. (United East Indian Company) and is connected to the success of Holland’s Golden Age. The house was initially intended as a country retreat, where the family could spend the summer months. Block slowly expanded the property and even became the biggest landowner in the area. In the following centuries the estate kept growing. Castle Keukenhof is one of the few surviving country estates on Hollands west coast. In the mid-19th century a rich noble family from The Hague bought the estate and transformed the house into 'the castle' in its present condition. Castle Keukenhof is located across the entrance of the world famous Keukenhof, garden and flower exposition.

The Wildenborch is one of the eight castles in and around the village of Vorden in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located between Vorden and Lochem. The castle was first mentioned in the year of 1372, when it was owned by the infamous Count Sweder Rodebaert van Wisch, a knight who loved robbing and looting. The Wildenborch (“castle in a wild swamp region”) was surrounded by swamps and was an ideal hideout after raids in the surrounding areas. Originally 'De Wildenborch' was surrounded by two moats, which nowadays still can be seen. By the 18th century the castle had fallen into disrepair and it was sold in that state to Damiaan Hugo Staring in 1781. His son, Anthony Christiaan Winand Staring (1767-1840) was another famous resident of the castle. He filled and planted most of the surrounding marshland with deciduous trees. The Staring family still provides opportunities for historical and literary research. The estate is accessible, but the house - still inhabited by descendants of Staring - is closed to the public (except during the annual Staring Nights). The gardens of ‘De Wildenborch’ are open for public a couple of times a year.

The castle is dating back to the 13th century; the fortified tower is the only part of the original building which survived a severe fire in 1525. The castle was rebuilt in its current form in the early 17th century and much later (1973 and 1981) restored. It is now owned by ‘Vereniging Natuurmonumenten’ - a Dutch society for preservation of nature monuments. Around the year of 1200 the castle came into the possession of Floris IV, Count of Holland. In 1229 the castle went to the Lords of Zierikzee, through an exchange with Floris IV. The new inhabitants of the castle called themselves ‘Van Haemstede’. The most famous resident was ‘Witte van Haemstede’, an illegitimate son of Count Floris V. In the mid-15th century his descendants got into financial troubles. ‘Louis de Gruuthuse’, a Flemish nobleman from Bruges, became the new owner of Castle Haamstede. Slot Haamstede is situated in the heart of the village of Haamstede on the former island Schouwen-Duiveland. The castle itself is only open for visitors during special events. The castle woods are free accessible.

The history of Hackfort Castle is dating back to the year of 1322, when it was officially mentioned. In 1392 ‘House Hacforden’ was nothing more than just a residential tower. In the 1586 the castle was destroyed by the Spanish troops during the Eighty Year's War (the Dutch Independent War). After the liberation of the region by Prince Maurits van Oranje, the castle was rebuilt in 1598 by Borchard van Westerholt. In 1788, Hackfort Castle underwent substantial renovations. The old gate house and outbuildings were demolished and the canals were filled in. The castle was transformed into an 18th-century manor house. Nowadays only the two thick cylindrical towers are reminders of the (former) castle. The castle remained for centuries in the possession of the family Van Westerholt. When the last Baroness Westerholt of Hackfort died in1981, Hackfort Castle and estate were donated to Natuurmonumenten (Netherlands Natural Heritage Society) and the house, coachhouse (nowadays a restaurant) and watermill have since been restored and opened to the public, although with limited opening hours. The picture is taken from the watermill: www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/26902929/in/album/537909