De Haar is the largest castle in the Netherlands. Besides, it is one of the most famous historical buildings in Europe, and because of its luxury it is one of the most visited.
The current appearance of the castle corresponds to the original one, built in the XIV century. The new castle was built by the architect Pierre Cuypers in the neo-Gothic style between 1892 and 1912.
In 1391, the De Haar family received the castle and surrounding area from Hendrik van Woerden. The family owned the original fortress until 1440, when it was transferred to the Van Zuylen family.
Photo: Rafa.rivero, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
It is the biggest castle in the Netherlands
Photo: bertknot/flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Photo: TomSturm, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
De Haar castle seen from the air
Photo: Jan Koning, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl)
Photo: Jeroen Komen (CC BY-SA 2.0)
During the 16th century, the castle was extensively rebuilt. But after the last male heir of the family died childless, the building was gradually dilapidating. At the beginning of the 19th century, the last member of the Van Zuylen family bequeathed the property to his cousin Jean-Jacques van Zuylen van Nyevelt.
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
At the end of the century, the castle was inherited by the grandson of Jean-Jacques, who married Helene de Rothschild. During this period, the castle was completely rebuilt by the architect Pierre Cuypers.
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
The main hall
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
The ceiling of the main hall
Photo: Arjandb, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl)
Some interiors
Photo: Hans Splinter/flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Photo: Arjandb, from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl)
Currently, the castle has 200 rooms, of which 30 are bathrooms. But only a small number of them on the ground floor are open for visitors. There is a statue of the architect Cuypers in the hall on the ground floor. He equipped the entire castle with electric lighting, which has its own generator and the most modern equipment.
Photo: Ryan Beck/flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)
The castle also has central heating, which is recognized as an industrial monument. The kitchen was also very well equipped for its time. A large collection of items used by the family has survived to this day. Here one can see many symbols of the Rothschild family, among which are family’s coat of arms and motto, as well as the stars of David.
De Haar castle garden
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
The castle is surrounded by a park that was designed by Hendrik Copijn. 7000 fully grown trees were planted here by the order of Van Zuylen.
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
Picture is the courtesy of de Haar castle administration. Any use without the permission of copyright owner is strictly prohibited
These magnificent trees were eradicated during the Second World War. They were simply used for heating. But, nevertheless, the garden has been restored to its former splendor.
How to get to the castle:
There is a convenient paid parking near the castle if you decide to get to it by your car. The walk from the parking lot to the castle will take you about 15 minutes. The distance from Amsterdam to the castle is just about 30 kilometers.
If you decide to get by public transport, you need to take the train from Amsterdam to the Utrecht Centraal station, and take another train to the Vleuten station (trains go through it in the direction of Den Haag Centraal). From the Vleuten station in the direction of the castle, take the buse number 111 (stop Kasteel de Haar) or number 127 (stop Brink in Haarzuilens). Please check the timetable carefully before departure, as long as some modes of transport are operated at certain times and on certain days, and routes may be canceled for various reasons.