Rechteren Castle is a Dutch castle situated on an island on side-branch of Overijsselse Vecht river, near the village of Dalfsen. It is the only castle in the province Overijssel from the Middle Ages that still exists.

History

Originally, Rechteren Castle was owned by the counts of Bentheim. It is first mentioned in 1190. In 1315, it became the property of Herman van Voorst. Through inheritances, it became property of the van Heeckeren, that split into the van Voorst en van Rechteren family. The counts of Rechteren inherited the castle, and it is nowadays still the family's property. The castle is not open to visitors.

Soon after, around 1320, he built the castle, situated on an island in an old arm of the Overijsselse Vecht river.

Through inheritance the castle went to Frederik Van Heeckeren in 1339. When ownership transferred to his son Sweder van Heeckeren in 1386, Sweder started to call himself Van Rechteren.

During the 15th century 2 extra floors were added to the round keep, originally being 3 floors high. It now is now 33 m high.

Between 1584 and 1590, during the 80 Years' War, Rechteren castle was occupied by Spanish troops. After it was taken back by Maurice, Prince of Orange, he had the defenses of the castle slighted, only sparing the round keep. After this the castle lost its military purpose. Archaeological excavations carried out in the 20 century showed the castle had had a round curtain wall with several wall towers.

Even though the castle had no more military importance it was still garrisoned by Dutch States soldiers in 1665 to protect it from a possible attack by Christoph Bernhard van Galen, the Prince-bishop of Münster. Their stay at the castle caused much damage.

In the 18th and 19th century several wings were added and others were remodelled. In the 1950's the neo-Gothical additions were removed.

At present Rechteren Castle is a private residence. The grounds of the castle can only be visited during National Heritage Days and sometimes as a guest of cultural events.

During the Second World War the castle offered shelter to some 60 refugees from Katwijk, Noordwijk and Scheveningen.

Exterior

The castle has been renovated and extended several times throughout the centuries. In 1591, Prince Maurice of Orange requested the owners to dismantle all fortification elements, so that the Spanish troops would not be able to seize an important military stronghold. The surrounding ring wall was torn down, and the main moat was drained. In the 18th century, two wings were added to the main building. In 1896 the main building and the main tower were transformed in neogothic style. In the 1950s, all the neogothic elements were removed, and the 18th century style of the castle was restored.

Interior

In 1908 and 1991, the owners of the castle allowed a photographer to take pictures of the interior. The vestibule contains many family portraits, and there is a white salon designed in rococo style. The dinner room is decorated with paintings by Herman ten Oever, depicting scenes from Greek mythology. The central hall contains portraits and arms of the Rechteren family.

https://www.castles.nl/rechteren-castle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechteren_Castle

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Private property, closed for visitors