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:

Wikipedia

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 (6 years ago)
Lovely country side.

Michal Rutka (6 years ago)
Beatrix lives here

Martijn Seminar Martijn Vervoer (7 years ago)
Monument with history of the Kingdom

Neli Karachorova (8 years ago)
Really well organized security fence

Myron Prins (8 years ago)
Here lives our previous queen Beatrix.

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Kakesbeck Castle

Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.