Doornenburg Castle is a 13th century castle perfect for history buffs as well as families where you can spend a lovely day with your family and children. .
In the immediate vicinity there are many activities such as a playground and beautiful walking and biking trails. Of course, afterwards you can enjoy a snack and a drink in the castle inn.
In addition to educational and recreational purposes, you can book a wide variety of meetings in the castle, both private and business. Whether it's a wedding or a product presentation, the castle offers a suitable solution for every occasion.
Kasteel Doornenburg History
Doronburc was already mentioned in the 9th century. In 1295, a lord of the Doornenburgs is mentioned for the first time, Willem van Doornick.
At that time, according to tradition, Gijsbrecht van Amstel, who was an accomplice in the murder of the Dutch Count Floris V in 1296, sought refuge on the Doornenburg from Amsterdam. The history is dubious and it was probably built in the 16th century when the Van Amstel family inherited the castle.
As far as is known, the castle was never taken by siege. During the Dutch Revolt the lord faithfully followed the change of party of the Gelderland States without a fight.
Doornenburg was inhabited by the successive families Van Doornick, Van Bylandt, Van Homoet, Van Voorst, Van Amstel, Van Heemskerk and Van Bemmel. The last resident was Maria Clara von Delwig, Baroness of Bemmel. She died in 1847 at a very advanced age. The castle was already owned by the Van der Heijden family since 1800, by inheritance from her husband who had died in 1799. However, they never lived in the castle, which is why the building fell into disrepair. In 1936, textile industrialist J.H. van Heek from Enschede created the Foundation for the Preservation of Doornenburg, became its president and, on the same day, purchased Doornenburg Castle from Baron A.E.C. van der Heijden. In 1937, the foundation began restoration work, which was completed in 1941.
During the last six months of World War II, Betuwe was on the front lines; the castle served as the Germans' headquarters. In January and March 1945, the British air force bombed the castle. During the first air raid, several buildings in the front castle were destroyed. The second attack was disastrous for the castle. A large mess remained. Doornenburg Castle is part of the European Liberation Route. In the listening place you can hear the following fragment, which paints a picture of those anxious days during the war.
After the war, Van Heek started all over again. With the help of the government and various private individuals, the foundation gradually had De Doornenburg restored. By then, the sturdy castle was back in all its glory. A great convenience in this reconstruction was that the foundation could use the experience gained from the first restoration.