Philips van Wassenaar (died in 1225) is considered to have been the founder of Nederhorst Castle. In the 17th century the baron Godard van Reede had the Reevaart dug so that his visitors could disembark in front of the castle when arriving by boat. The castle was thoroughly rennovated in the 18th century, and reminders of this period can still be seen on the south side.
After 1945 the castle fell into a serious state of disrepair and there was even question of it being pulled down. However the building found a saviour at the end of 1959 in the form of a moped manufacturer from Bussum who had heard from his general practitioner that there was a castle for sale in Nederhorst den Berg. This artisan, Jan Lourens Jonker, married to Harmine J.E. Wolters, was looking for space for his hobbies: collecting old bicycles and clocks.
After a disastrous fire in 1971, and with the help of additional funding by state, provincial and local governments, renovation could begin. Restoration was completed in 1973. Today the castle hosts a private company Studio Michel Mulders.
References:Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.
History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.
Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.
Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.