Drakensteyn Castle

Lage Vuursche, Netherlands

Drakensteyn is a small castle constructed in the years 1640–1643 for a Gerard van Reede Läm. A house called Drakesteijn at this location was first mentioned in 1359. It is owned by Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the country's former Queen who abdicated in 2013. Beatrix bought the castle in 1959, when she was the heir to the Dutch throne, and took up residence in 1963. After her marriage in 1966 she continued to live there with her husband, Prince Claus and later their three sons as well. After Beatrix succeeded her mother Juliana as Queen of the Netherlands in 1980, the family moved to The Hague in 1981. The royal connection aside, its most distinctive feature is its octagonal shape. It is surrounded by a moat that can be crossed via a bridge. Its style can be described as Classicist.

References:

Comments

Your name

Website (optional)


Address

Slotlaan 8, Lage Vuursche, Netherlands
See all sites in Lage Vuursche

Details

Founded: 1640-1643
Category: Castles and fortifications in Netherlands

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.holland.com

Rating

4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Soestdijk Palace (3,9 km)


Royal Palace of Amsterdam (31,4 km)
Nieuwe Kerk (31,4 km)
Rijksmuseum (30,7 km)
American Hotel (31,2 km)
Oude Kerk (31,1 km)
Van Gogh Museum (30,8 km)
Beurs van Berlage (31,3 km)
Stedelijk Museum (30,8 km)
St. Martin's Cathedral (12,2 km)

User Reviews

Ashwin Sumaria (10 months ago)
Lovely country side.
Michal Rutka (12 months ago)
Beatrix lives here
Martijn Seminar Martijn Vervoer (2 years ago)
Monument with history of the Kingdom
Neli Karachorova (3 years ago)
Really well organized security fence
Myron Prins (3 years ago)
Here lives our previous queen Beatrix.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Must-see historic sighs in Luxembourg
Photo from Flickr, copyright Jose Antonio Abad

Historic Site of the week

Cháteau Comtal

The Château Comtal (Count’s Castle) is a medieval castle within the Cité of Carcassonne, the largest city in Europe with its city walls still intact. The Château Comtal has a strong claim to be called a 'Cathar Castle'. When the Catholic Crusader army arrived in 1209 they first attacked Raymond-Roger Trencavel's castrum at Bèziers and then moved on to his main stronghold at Carcassonne.

The castle with rectangular shape is separated from the city by a deep ditch and defended by two barbicans. There are six towers curtain walls.

The castle was restored in 1853 by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
© 2019 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.