Amerongen Castle (Dutch: Kasteel Amerongen) was built between 1674 and 1680, on the site of a medieval castle that had been burned down by the French in 1673
Amerongen Castle (Dutch: Kasteel Amerongen) was built between 1674 and 1680, on the site of a medieval castle that had been burned down by the French in 1673. The gardens still contain historic elements such as a conservatory dating from the 1890s. In 1918, the former German Kaiser Wilhelm II signed his abdication here and stayed till 1920, when he moved to Huis Doorn.
Amerongen Castle is one of the great Dutch houses from the 17th century. The house, garden and furnishings form a unit seldom seen in the Netherlands. Amerongen Castle has a rich family-history, going back 700 years. The owners played an important part in the national and European history.
Godard Adriaan van Reede (1621-1691) held a key-position in the insurrection against the French supremacy. As a retribution the house was burnt down by the French in 1673, but rebuilt by his wife Margaretha Turnor. The German Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941) lived at Amerongen Castle for 18 months and signed his abdication here in 1918. The desk at which this happened is still part of the Amerongen collection. The house, surrounded by historical gardens, is situated in the picturesque village of Amerongen at the foot of the Utrecht Hills.
Amerongen Castle is vibrant with activities, such as (theme)tours, seasonal festivities, concerts, exhibitions and children’s activities. Visit and experience its history! An unmissable example of the Dutch Heritage.
The English Connection
Over the centuries Amerongen has had a close relationship with England, starting in 1690 when Godard van Reede a.k.a “de Ginkel” (1644-1703) won the Battle of the Boyne as commander-in-chief of King William III ’s troops .He became the 1rst Earl of Athlone.
In 1795, when the French invaded this country ,Frederik Christiaan van Reede, the 5th Earl of Athlone ,fled to England together with his friend and Stadtholder Willem V and many other noblemen. He then took the seat he was entitled to in the House of Lords. During the 19th century his sons and their descendants lived in England and visited Amerongen only occasionally.
After the -childless- death of the 9th Earl of Athlone the last , female, owner left the house in 1879 to her godson Count van Aldenburg Bentinck, who had his education in England and hired a British nanny to raise his children and grandchildren in the same spirit!
The current building was designed by the architect Maurits Post as a baroque palace for the owners Godard Adriaan van Reede and his wife Margaretha Turnor. In the main hall a central staircase with painted ceiling was built by Willem van Nimwegen. Other ornaments were added in the early 20th century by P.J.H. Cuypers. The gardens contain historical elements and the walls predate 1673. Near the entrance bridge dating from 1678 is a wooden clock tower from 1728 that contains the original clock of the same date. In the north-east corner of the gardens is an orangerie dating from the 1880s, and the north wall was raised during the period when Wilhelm II was residing there 1918-1920. He abdicated in Amerongen then moved to Huis Doorn.
https://www.kasteelamerongen.nl/en
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerongen_Castle
12.50 EUR
Gardens only: 4.50 EUR
6.00 EUR
0 - 5 years: free
12.50 EUR
Gardens only: 4.50 EUR
Concerts and exhibitions
www.kasteelamerongen.nl
- Visiting in groups, except the 3rd Sunday of a month when it is a free walking
- Castle Gardens