The Oude Loo castle was built in the 15th century. In 1684, the castle and the surrounding land was bought by William III of Orange. On this land, he had Het Loo Palace built. The castle was used by the court, among other things as an apothecary. In the 19th century the castle came in the hands of Louis Napoleon who filled up the moat. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands had the castle and the moat restored by architect Pierre Cuypers. Since 1968, the castle is owned by the Dutch state. Since 1973, it is a national heritage site. The castle is currently used by the Dutch Royal Family as a country house and guest residence.
The castle park construction began in the 17th century. Paths, ponds and alternating open spaces and groves of trees have been used to create a varied natural-looking landscape. The western and northern parts were heathland when they were purchased in the 19th century. They were sown to Scots pine and are now varied forest areas interspersed with patches of heath. In this part of the park is an old meltwater valley formed in the most recent ice age, Wilhelmina's Valley. Many of the numerous cultural heritage elements in the park have been restored. Recently, part of the park underwent a makeover to a design by the landscape architect Michael van Gessel.
References:The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.