The castle De Haar is located just outside the city of UItrecht, although it cannot boast the nobility from being donated, it remained unchanged over the centuries and has the charm of fairytale castles (see Neuschwanstein in Bavaria), so much so that often, it is used as a location for the spring festival of elves and fairies.
The present appearance of the castle De Haa, dates from the late nineteenth century, when, now in ruins, it was decided to rebuild it entirely, thanks to the generous interest, and financing of the Rothschilds. An investment which is not too unselfish because, Hélène de Rothschild, was united in marriage to the noble owner of the castle (Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt …).
The work lasted twenty years and at the end, from the rubble, a resource-looking neo-Gothic castle, complete with spiers, battlements, a moat filled with water and a drawbridge was the panoramic image of it. Inside, there is the wooden furniture with a nod to Catholic churches, many pieces belonged to the Rothschilds, and some from China and Japan.
It is built around a large garden, which has suffered because of the war and the Nazi occupation, with large trees, fountains and water features, with constant references to the castle of Versailles.
The gardens open at 9:00, the castle at 11 am and close, both at 17:00 – they are open daily, including holiday gaps. The entrance costs 3.5 euro for the gardens (€ 2.5 for children), if you’re visiting the castle, guided tours only, and the price goes to12.5 (EUR 9.5 children). It is located just 35 kilometers from Amsterdam.
How to get to De Haar Castle
By Elsi H
Photos:Wikimedia Commons, Bert Kaufmann.
