Photos, videos and docs of Jaap van 't Veen, with the keywords: "castle"

France: Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 09:25:16 +0000

The first Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet (Castle of Saint-Germain-de-Livet) was built in the 12th century. It was a pentagonal defensive fortress, made of stone and surrounded by a moat.

In 1462 the owners - Tourneby family - decided to destroy the old fortress, except the basement and the drawbridge. They erected on its foundations a half-timbered manor made of cob and wood. During the Renaissance, a magnificent extension was added, with an arcaded gallery and the famous checkerboard facades of stone and green-glazed brick.

In the 19th century, it belonged to the Riesener family. The family’s last heir donated the castle/manor to the city of Lisieux in 1938. Today, it is a museum exhibiting the family’s heritage (not open during my visit there).

France, Le Breuil-en-Auge, Château du Breuil

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:22:22 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Château du Breuil (Breuil Castle) is a 16th cen¬tury renaissance castle, with significant developments extending into the 17th century. The castle is listed as a His¬tor¬ic Monu¬ment. It has served as the residence of several notable families.

The castle complex includes a main residential building, outbuildings, and formal gardens. The use of local limestone and timber framing in parts of the structure highlights regional building traditions. Breuil Castle does not retain medieval fortifications such as moats or battlements, yet its sturdy stone contribute to its imposing presence.

Since 1954, Château du Breuil has been recognized not only for its architectural heritage, but also as one of the most prestigious Calvados distilleries in Normandy.

France - Fauguernon, Château de Combray

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 07:10:17 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

The original Château de Combray (Combray Castle) was built in the 16th century. The present castle, in the Louis XIII style, dates from the mid-19th century. After 1965, the owner of the castle, who died unmarried, decided to bequeath the estate to the Pasteur Institute.

The castle is now owned by a private individual and not open to the public.

France, Château de Fauguernon

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 06:48:01 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Château de Fauguernon (Fauguernon Castle) is a historic site, featuring medieval ruins that date back to the 9th and 12th centuries. The site - located on a strategic point - was fortified against Scandinavian (Vikings) invasions. The castle was partly dismantled in the 12th and again in the 16th century by the governor of Normandy.

The ruins of the fortress retain the vestiges of a double wall whose enclosure was occupied by farming activities. The interior defence is formed by thick high walls reinforced by towers built on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by ditches.

I was lucky when taking the pictures. On Google Maps, it looks as though the farm buildings are the castle. But when I walked onto the grounds to ask the owner for permission to take photos, I was invited on a private tour – complete with a detailed explanation of the history – to the ruins of the original castle.

France: Hermival-les-Vaux, Château d'Hermival

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:46:18 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Château d'Hermival (Hermival Castle) is dating back to the middle of the 16th-century. The country house was remodeled in the 17th and 18th century under Louis XV. The facades have been listed as a Historic Monument since 1927, featuring distinctive corner pavilions in checkerboard pink brick and cut stone.

Originally owned by the noble Bosch family, it later passed to the Sisters of Bon Sauveur de Caen community, before being renovated in 2019 as a private event venue.

Nederland - Voorst, Kasteel De Nijenbeek

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 06:21:54 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel De Nijenbeek - a defensive castle on the banks of the river IJssel - was first mentioned in 1266. At that time it was inhabited by knight Theodericus, also called Dirk, Lord of Nijenbeek. Its location on the banks of the river IJssel was very strategic, assuring control over the traffic on the river.

Over the centuries a lot has changed to the castle. The many different owners adapted the building to their own wishes and use. Later in the 18th century De Nijenbeek fell into disrepair, because the owners lived somewhere else and rented out the castle.

In 1945 - at the end of World War II - Kasteel De Nijenbeek was shelled from the eastern bank of the river IJssel by Canadian troops because it was used by the Germans as a lookout post. During the shelling, the tower of the castle lost its 19th century pyramid roof. The castle became more and more a ruin.

In 2016 the ruin was consolidated by a major restoration. The (consolidated) square tower is nowadays the only remaining part of the castle. Kasteel De Nijenbeek has very limited opening hours..

Nederland - Baarn, Kasteel Groeneveld

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:49:41 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Groeneveld in Baarn is an 18th-century country estate and one of the finest examples of a country house from that era. Since the 17th century, regents and merchants from Dutch cities came to their country houses to enjoy the good life.

The ‘castle’ was built in 1703 by Marcus Mamuchet and is considered being one of the finest examples of a country house from the Rococo style period. It was built in the tradition of 17th- and 18th-century estates that were intended as summer houses for wealthy city dwellers, mainly from Amsterdam. Groeneveld was probably built on the foundations of a farmstead. Initially, the house consisted only of the central part of the main building and the two outbuildings: coach house and orangery. The side wings date from around 1760.

Kasteel Groeneveld was privately owned until 1940. Nowadays it is owned and managed by
Staatsbosbeheer (a Dutch governmental organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves).

Germany - Schloss Montabaur

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:51 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Schloss Montabaur is dating back to the year of 959, when it was first mentioned as “Castellum Humbacense”. It was initially a residence for Duke Hermann of Swabia. In 1018, the castle and its surrounding lands came under the control of the Archbishop of Trier. The castle was destroyed in 1212, but rebuilt five years later by Archbishop Theoderich von Wied. The castle was renamed “Mons Tabor” - inspired by Mount Tabor in Israel - which evolved into Montabaur.

In the late 17th century Schloss Montabaur underwent a baroque transformation.This renovation gave the castle much of its current appearance. Nowadays the unusual yellow castle - situated on a hilltop high above the town of Montabaur - is visible from afar.

The castle functions today as a conference- training center and hotel while maintaining its status as a protected monument of German architecture.

Germany - Bad Bentheim, Schloss Bentheim/Kronenburg

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:58:40 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kronenburg (Crown Castle) is the medieval main building of Bentheim Castle, which was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style between 1883 and 1914.

After war damage in the 18th century, the castle had become uninhabitable and was used as a prison from 1817 to 1865. In 1883, Prince Alexis II Zu Bentheim und Steinfurt commissioned the building to be rebuilt and the residential wing to be converted into a modern aristocratic residence. In 1914, at the start of the First World War, the renovation was stopped.

Kronenburg nowadays offers ornate state rooms, which are furnished in the 19th-century style.

Germany - Bad Bentheim, Burg Bentheim

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:56:43 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Burg Bentheim (Bentheim Castle), built from Bentheim sandstone, stands on a sandstone outcrop over 90 metres high above Bad Bentheim. It is the largest hilltop castle in northwestern Germany.

The first mention of the castle dates back to 1050. Around 1160, the castle walls, the tower of St. Catherine's Church and the powder tower were built. After wars, military campaigns and epidemics, Burg Bentheim was expanded between 1883 and 1914.

In the 18th century, many settlements in Germany were converted into baroque castles. However, the county of Bentheim did not have the money for this. That is why Burg Bentheim has retained its original form.

The castle has remained in the family ‘Zu Bentheim und Steinfurt’since the 12th century. It is the landmark of the town of Bad Bentheim.

Nederland - Vaassen, Kasteel Cannenburch

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:36:14 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Cannenburch (Cannenburch Castle) was built in 1543 by a well known Dutch field marshal, Maarten van Rossum (also Marten van Rossem). He constructed a country house - in the style of the Dutch Renaissance - on the spot of a medieval castle.

Van Rossum died in 1555 and his nephew, Hendrik van Isendoorn, inherited the castle and it remained in the family for more than 300 years. In 1882, however, it was acquired by Eduard Baron van Lynden by purchase. In 1905, it came into the possession of Mrs. Frida Cleve-Mollard from Berlin, whose husband Richard Cleve was the last private resident of the castle. Over the years, the castle has been altered and extended many times and it became also a stone entrance bridge.

Since the 1950’s Kasteel Cannenburch and surrounding park are owned and managed by the Stichting Geldersch Landschap en Geldersche Kasteelen, a Dutch heritage foundation.

Nowadays the castle is is a Dutch national monument.

Nederland - Baarn, Kasteel Groeneveld

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:15:25 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Groeneveld (Groeneveld Castle) in Baarn is an 18th-century country estate and one of the finest examples of a country house from that era. Since the 17th century, regents and merchants from Dutch cities came to their country houses to enjoy the good life.

The ‘castle’ was built in 1703 by Marcus Mamuchet and is considered being one of the finest examples of a country house from the Rococo style period. It was built in the tradition of 17th- and 18th-century estates that were intended as summer houses for wealthy city dwellers, mainly from Amsterdam. Groeneveld was probably built on the foundations of a farmstead. Initially, the house consisted only of the central part of the main building and the two outbuildings: coach house and orangery. The side wings date from around 1760.

Kasteel Groeneveld was privately owned until 1940. Nowadays it is owned and managed by Staatsbosbeheer (a Dutch governmental organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves

Nederland - Slot Zeist

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:36:10 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Slot Zeist (Castle Zeist) was built between 1677 and 1686 on behalf of Willem Adriaan van Nassau, grandson of Willem van Oranje. The building was designed by architect Jacobus Roman, who also designed Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn. The interior was mainly designed by the Huguenot Daniël Marot. His largely preserved wall and ceiling paintings are reminiscent of French Baroque.

In 1745, Slot Zeist was purchased by the merchant Cornelis Schellinger. In 1746, he donated part of it to the Moravian Brethren community, which would serve as their headquarters in the Netherlands.

In 1924, the castle was purchased by the municipality of Zeist. The castle was renovated in 1969 and restored to its original Baroque style, using authentic demolition material from other Baroque buildings.

Nederland - Kasteel Renswoude

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:53:16 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Renswoude (Renswoude Castle), formerly called Borchwal, is a castle and knight's manor and estate nearby the village of Renswoude. The first house probably dates from the late 14th century. Perhaps the name refers to a borgwal (circular rampart) that surrounded the castle.

During the Dutch 'Golden Age' - in 1654 – the original house was demolished by order of Johan van Reede and replaced by the current country house in Dutch-classicist style. It was probably built on the medieval foundations. The castle has a special design, which gives it a double appearance. The white plastered back gives the building a real country-house appearance, while the front with its towers is more reminiscent of a castle. The facade of the main building is dominated by the large tower in the middle with a corner tower protruding on either side.

Nederland - Huis Doorn

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:36:14 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Huis Doorn (House Doorn) has a rich history, beginning as a medieval moated castle built in the 13th century. After several renovations, it was restored again in the 17th century and converted into the current country house in 1872.

However, its most famous period began in 1920, when the exiled German Emperor Wilhelm II bought it and lived there in exile until his death in 1941.

After World War II, Huis Doorn and its contents were confiscated by the Dutch government and it became a national museum. The interior of the house has not been changed since Wilhelm II died.

Nederland - Kasteel Staverden

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:01:34 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Staverden (Staverden Castle) was frequently used as a hunting lodge by the Dukes of Gelre. Since 1400 there were feudal lords living at Staverden Castle, who had to preserve and defend the castle. They also were charged with the duty of keeping white peacocks. The peacock feathers were used to adorn the duke's tournament helmet. There are still white peacocks on the grounds and the castle has a wind vane in the shape of a white peacock. White peacocks still live at Staverden, in a peacock cage a few hundred meters from the castle. Kasteel Staverden is also called Witte Pauwenburcht (White Peacock Castle).

The castle gardens of Staverden are among the most beautiful in the Netherlands. It offers flower beds, elegant water features and centuries-old trees. The gardens are designed in a classic English landscape style. In a large geometric garden laid out in 1907 - one can find ‘of course’ a sculpture of two peacocks. It is unclear how old the sculpture is and who created it; it may have been on the estate for much longer. This sandstone statue on a tall square pedestal is an official Dutch national monument.

Nederland - Rozendaal, Kasteel Rosendael

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:30:17 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Rosendael (Rosendael Castle) is mentioned as early as the year of 1314. The castle came into the hands of the counts and later dukes of Gelre. Of the twenty castles in the dukedom, Rosendael was the favourite of many dukes, because of its beautiful location on the edge of the Veluwe moraine.

The large medieval complex originally consisted of an irregular four-sided corps de logis with a circular donjon as its south-west corner tower. In 1722 a square house was built abutting the big tower. The side wing and coach house were built a century later. The round eye-catching donjon is about 19 meters and high and has a diameter of 16 meters. Its walls - up to 4 meters thick - are the thickest in the Netherlands. Although it is the highest tower of its kind in the Netherlands, it was originally twice as high.

After the counts and dukes of Gelre, the castle became the property of drost (state-holder) Willem van Scherpenzeel. After that Kasteel Rosendael came into the hands of various noble families, who occupied it for almost 400 years.
During World War II the castle was hit by an American bomb. It ceased to be a private residence in 1977 when Baron van Pallandt died and the estate was handed over to the foundation Geldersch Landschap en Kasteelen. The castle and garden were fully restored and since 1989 open to the public.

Nederland - Vaassen, Kasteel Cannenburch

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:20:58 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Kasteel Cannenburch (Cannenburch Castle) was built in 1543 by a well known Dutch field marshal, Maarten van Rossum (also Marten van Rossem). He constructed a country house - in the style of the Dutch Renaissance - on the spot of a medieval castle.

The medieval Cannenburch Castle is located in a beautiful old park with meadows and an orchard. The park covers 24 hectares and features winding paths, avenues lined with oak and beech trees, waterways and ponds.

Since the 1950’s Kasteel Cannenburch and surrounding park are owned and managed by the Stichting Geldersch Landschap en Geldersche Kasteelen, a Dutch heritage foundation.

Nowadays the castle is is a Dutch national monument.

France - Château de Crèvecoeur

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:41:40 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Château de Crèvecoeur (Crèvecoeur Castle) is a unique example of a small rural country estate. The complex is surrounded by a moat and has retained its original layout in two parts.

The grounds feature a group of 15th- and 16th-century agricultural half-timbered houses: the farmhouse, dovecote, barn and a 12th-century chapel. In the upper courtyard, accessible via a bridge, the 15th-century residence is protected by a moat and a 12th century wall with defensive loopholes. A simple garden, a sheepfold, chicken coop, bread oven and pottery kiln complete the seigniorial estate.

The gatehouse originally was located at the former castle of Beuvillers (near Lisieux). It has been moved and is now used as a reception area and shop.

Caen - Château de Caen

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:12:28 +0000

Jaap van 't Veen has posted:

Château de Caen (Caen Castle) is located in the centre of the city. William the Conqueror (PiP4) started construction of the citadel in 1060. Over the following centuries, the impressive fortress was reinforced and expanded, and is now considered one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.

After many wars throughout the centuries and the bombings at the end of the World War II (June/July 1944), all that remains now are the contours of the former castle, the moat and the defence towers. La Salle de l'Échiquier, formerly the courtroom of the Duchy of Normandy, still stands proudly. The Romanesque Église Saint-Georges, now an information centre on the progress of the restoration work, was the parish church of the castle's inhabitants.

Within the immense grounds, there are two museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen (Museum of Fine Arts of Caen) and the Musée de Normandie (Museum of Normandy).