麻豆APP

Kasteel de Haar; Main Building Photo by Muck

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kasteel De Haar

De Haar Castle  famously known as Kasteel de Haar in Dutch is an historic castle located in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is the biggest castle in The Netherlands and one of the biggest and one of the most historical castles in the world. 

It is one of the most renowned places in the Netherlands and among the most sought after attractions in the Netherlands. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about it;

1.It was build around 1391 and was given to the De Haar family as fiefdom 

View on Main Building Kasteel De Haar Photo sourced from

The oldest historical record of a building at the location of the current castle dates to 1391. In that year, the De Haar family received the castle and the surrounding lands as a fiefdom from Hendrik van Woerden. The castle remained in the ownership of the De Haar family until 1440, when the last male heir died childless.

The castle then passed to the Van Zuylen family and has since moved throught generations after generation until it was passed to the government with some rights remaining with the family. 

2.It was burned down in 1482

In 1482, the castle was burned down and the walls were destroyed, except for the parts that did not have a military function. These parts probably were incorporated into the castle when it was rebuilt during the early 16th century. 

These parts probably were incorporated into the castle when it was rebuilt during the early 16th century. The castle is mentioned in an inventory of the possessions of Steven van Zuylen from 1506, and again in a list of fiefdoms in the province Utrecht from 1536.

3.The castle has 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms

The castle has 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms of which only a small number on the ground and first floor have been opened to be viewed by the public. Cuypers placed a statue of himself in a corner of the gallery on the first floor.

The castle was equipped by Cuypers with the most modern gadgets, such as electrical lighting with its own generator, and central heating by way of steam. This installation is internationally recognized as an industrial monument.

4.The castle is decorated with richly ornamented wood carvings on the inside

1st Floor Balcony – View on Central Lobby of Kasteel De Haar Photo sourced from

The interior of the castle is decorated with richly ornamented woodcarving, reminiscent of the interior of a Roman Catholic church. This carving was made in the workshop of Cuypers in Roermond, who even designed the tableware.

The interior is furnished with many works from the Rothschild collections, including beautiful old porcelain from Japan and China, and several old Flemish tapestries and paintings with religious illustrations.

The centrepiece is a carrier coach of the wife of a Japanese sh艒gun, which reportedly is only one of two worldwide, the other one being exhibit in Tokyo. 

5.The castle is surrounded by a park

Garden on Main Building Kasteel De Haar Photo Sourced from

Surrounding the castle there is a park, designed by Hendrik Copijn, for which Van Zuylen ordered 7,000 grown trees. Because these could not be transported through the city of Utrecht, Van Zuylen bought a house and demolished it.

The park contains many waterworks and a formal garden reminiscent of the French gardens of 麻豆APP. During the Second World War many of the gardens were lost, because the wood was used to light fires, and the soil was used to grow vegetables. Today most are restored to their original state.

6.The castle is currently owned by a foundation known as Kasteel de Haar

In 2000, the family Van Zuylen van Nyevelt passed ownership of the castle and the gardens (45 ha) to the foundation Kasteel de Haar. However, the family retained the right to spend one month per year in the castle. In the same year, the Dutch society Natuurmonumenten bought the surrounding estate of 400 ha.

An extensive restoration programme of the castle and the gardens was initiated in 2001 and was completed in 2011.After the death in 2011 of the last male heir, Thierry van Zuylen, his daughters also sold the castle’s art collection and furnishings to the new owners.

7.The castle has friendly staff and its price is easy to pay

One has to pay 18Euros for the gardens and the castle which is a reasonable price and the cafe prices were also pretty standard. The staff were extremely friendly, helpful, and patient, with excellent English.A Very well maintained castle with beautiful surroundings.

The staff is exceptionally friendly and chatty and pay special attention to children.A nice scenic and calm walk there with some great view on the approach.The castle also has many amazing photo opportunities outside with some deers and a large moat surrounding the castle and has a good few rooms showing how the others live. 

8.There are several hotels and restaurants near the castle

There are several hotels and restaurants near the castle including;Carlton President which is 2.22 miles away, Van Rossum Stadshotel Woerden 5.02 miles, Mother Goose Hotel 6.02 miles, Boerderij Hazenveld mini-camping B&B 0.90 miles away and Hotel Breukelen which is 3.27 miles away. 

The restaurants near it include;Koetshuis de Haar which is 0.01 miles, t Wapen van Haarzuylen(0.50 mi), Restaurant Toetje (0.50 mi) Roberto Gelato(6.56 mi) and Kortjak which is 0.71 miles away. 

9.The transportation to the castle is easy and affordable 

The transportation to the castle is easy and affordable. Take the sprinter train towards The Hague Central Station to Vleuten Station. From Vleuten Station: Take Bus 127 towards Breukelen (bus stop Brink in Haarzuilens), then a 15 min walk to the castle.

You can also take a OV-bike for a 12 min bike ride through the countryside, check the next section for more information.Parking tickets are 鈧� 6,00 and are available online or at the ticket counter. The parking lot is located directly across the entrance gate. A parking ban applies to the direct vicinity of the castle, which is strictly enforced by the police.

10.The castle terrain is regularly used for fairs and markets, such as the Elf Fantasy Fair

The castle terrain is regularly used for fairs and markets, such as the Elf Fantasy Fair.An extensive restoration programme of the castle and the gardens was initiated in 2001 and was completed in 2011.After the death in 2011 of the last male heir, Thierry van Zuylen, his daughters also sold the castle’s art collection and furnishings to the new owners.

The castle is one of the largest in the Netherlands and one of the most visited in the world. It is one of the most loved places to visit.