Castle De Haar — Attraction in Utrecht

De Haar Castle (Dutch: Kasteel de Haar) is located outside Utrecht, Netherlands. It is the largest castle in The Netherlands 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. 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. 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. The oldest image of the castle dates to 1554 and shows that the castle had been largely rebuilt by then. After 1641, when Johan van Zuylen van de Haar died childless, the castle seems to have gradually fallen into ruins. The castle escaped total destruction by the French during the Rampjaar 1672.

In 1801 the last Catholic van Zuylen in the Netherlands, the bachelor Anton-Martinus van Zuylen van Nijevelt (1708–1801), bequeathed the property to his cousin Jean-Jacques van Zuylen van Nyevelt (1752–1846) of the Catholic branch in the Southern Netherlands. 1892 restoration edit In 1887, Jean-Jacques' grandson, Etienne Gustave Frédéric Baron van Zuylen van Nyevelt van de Haar (1860–1934), married Baroness Hélène de Rothschild, of the Rothschild family. When Etienne inherited the ruined castle in 1890 from his grandfather, the couple set about rebuilding the castle, fully financed by Hélène's family. For the restoration of the castle, they contracted famous architect Pierre Cuypers. He would work on this project for 20 years (from 1892 to 1912). 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.[citation needed] The kitchen was for that period also very modern and still has its copper pots and pans, the largest extant set in the Netherlands, and an enormous furnace approximately 6 metres long, which was heated with peat or coals. The tiles in the kitchen are decorated with the coats of arms of the families De Haar and Van Zuylen, which were for this purpose especially baked in Franeker. Cuypers emphasized the difference between the old and new walls by using different kinds of bricks. For the interior Cuypers made extensive use of cast iron.

Many details in the castle refer to the Rothschild family, such as the Stars of David on the balconies of the knight's hall and the coat of arms of the family right underneath on the hearth in the library. The coat of arms of the Van Zuylen family are omnipresent. Their motto is on the hearth in the knight's hall (A majoribus...

I'll say it bluntly: this is the biggest scam job in the Netherlands.

It is quite common for Google to get the opening times wrong and the official website is the most updated. Howver, this is the first time I have encountered the official website being WRONG and Google is actually right.

We came on a Wednesday around 4 p.m. as that was the day which best suited our travel plans. I noticed on Google that the castle closes at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, so we decided to just visit the park around the castle. As no opening timings for the park were listed on Google I decided to check the official website, which said the castle closes at 5 p.m. and the park at 5.30 p.m. We went on 3 Sep and it was not listed under exceptions.

However, my suspicions were raised when I noticed that the last time slot for the castle was 3 p.m., so I suspected that the castle actually closes at 4 p.m. However, the website says after the castle closes, visitors can still explore the park. So we tried to buy tickets for the park itself. There was a slot for 4.30 p.m. I also noted that the website says "opening hours for today" so I made sure to check on the day itself and it said the same hours.

When we arrived at the ticket office at 4.15 p.m., we bought tickets from the manned counter and I asked the staff again what time does the park close and she told me 5.30 p.m. We bought tickets thinking that we had an hour to admire the castle exterior but just 10 minutes after we entered, a staff member on a bicycle told us that the park was closing. When I told him the lady told us that it closes at 5.30 p.m., he said no, on Wednesdays it closes at 4.30 p.m. To his credit he was nice enough to allow us to at least complete one round around the castle before leaving the grounds.

I feel very cheated from this because we made our plans based on the timings listed on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE. First, I have never seen a large establishment that publishes ad hoc opening timings on their website. If indeed the castle and park regularly closes an hour earlier every week on Wednesday, there is no reason why it is not published on the official website. Secondly, if indeed the park closes at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesdays, why is there an entry slot at 4.30 p.m. itself? And why would the website and the ticket counter sell tickets with a 4.30 p.m. entry slot? Do they expect people to pay to enter the park only to be immediately told it is closing? In fact, when we entered the park there were still people buying tickets behind us.

The screenshots I took on Wednesday of the official website are attached and illustrate this. In addition, we went to check the info board located at the entrance to the castle itself and it says both the castle and the park close every day at 5 p.m. So there are 3 different closing times on Wednesdays depending on which source you consult: the official website, the info board on site, and reality.

It's a one star because no matter how beautiful the place is, if I can't see it, it's as...

Castle De Haar, located in the Netherlands near the village of Haarzuilens, is a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture and one of the most visited castles in the country. If you're planning a visit or want to leave a contribution on Google Maps, here's something unique to share:

"Castle De Haar is not just another castle; it's a magical journey back in time with a touch of grandeur and fairy-tale charm. As you approach the castle, the first thing that strikes you is its impressive moat and drawbridge, setting the stage for what feels like an authentic medieval experience.

The interior of the castle is equally breathtaking, with its lavish rooms adorned with antique furnishings, intricate woodwork, and stunning stained-glass windows. Each room tells a story of the van Zuylen family, who rebuilt the castle in the late 19th century, transforming it into the masterpiece we see today. The grand hall and dining room are particularly impressive, showcasing the opulence of a bygone era with large tapestries, glittering chandeliers, and finely carved fireplaces.

Beyond the castle walls, the extensive grounds and gardens are a highlight in their own right. The meticulously landscaped gardens, with their maze, rose garden, and ponds, provide a tranquil escape and are perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. Don’t miss the small chapel on the grounds, which offers a quiet space for reflection and adds to the castle's enchanting ambiance.

One of the lesser-known aspects of De Haar is its seasonal events and themed tours, which bring the castle’s history to life in unique ways. Whether it's a medieval fair, a Christmas market, or a themed tour, these events offer an immersive experience that enhances your visit.

Overall, Castle De Haar is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply looking for a beautiful day out in the Dutch countryside. The combination of its fairy-tale architecture, rich history, and beautiful gardens makes it a truly unique destination. Make sure to allocate a few hours to explore everything this magical place...