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

Nederland - Voorst, Kasteel De Nijenbeek

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

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..

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

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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

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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 - Kasteel Staverden

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

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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

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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.

France - Château de Crèvecoeur

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

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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

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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).

France - La Pommeraye, Château Ganne

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:05:59 +0000

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The oldest remains of Château Ganne (Ganne Castle) - the most important estate of the Pommeraie family - which were uncovered during excavations, date back to the 10th century. The fortress was mainly built in the 11th and 12th centuries, after which it was abandoned and fell into disrepair.

The ruins - including the impressive gate tower, a chapel, bakery and residential building - are located in the middle of the woods near the village of La Pommeraye.

France - Falaise, Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:43:51 +0000

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Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant (Castle of William the Conqueror or Falaise Castle) is located on a rocky outcrop above the town. The first stone castle on this site was built between 962 and 1020, most likely by Richard II of Normandy. Around 1027, Richard II's grandson, William the Conqueror, was born in this castle. He would become the first Norman king of England.

The current castle was built in 1123 by Henry I of England on the remains of its predecessor. The main castle consists of three keeps. The oldest is the large quadrangular keep, built by Henry I. The other two were added in the 12th and 13th centuries.

During the Hundred Years' War, between 1337 and 1453, Falaise Castle changed hands several times. At the end of the 16th century, the castle was severely damaged after a siege. The castle was abandoned in the 17th century and subsequently fell into disrepair. In August 1944, the castle complex was largely destroyed after fierce fighting between Allied and German troops during the “Battle of the Falaise Pocket”.

In 1840 it was declared a monument historique.
Between 1987 and 1997, Falaise Castle was completely restored, using a lot of concrete and steel.
Today, the castle is still the landmark of Falaise.

België - Bazel, Kasteel Wissekerke

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:33:26 +0000

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Kasteel Wissekerke (Wissekerke Castle) is situated in the village of Bazel. As early as the 10th century, a fortification stood on this spot to defend the area against Viking raids.
In the 13th century, construction of Wissekerke Castle began. In the 16th century, the castle was rebuilt. After it was partially burnt down in 1583, it was rebuilt mainly for comfort and lost most of its defensible features.

Throughout the 19th century, Kasteel Wissekerke was the seat of influential nobles. In the mid-20th century, they left the castle, after which it was bought by the municipality. Today, the catles serves as a museum.

Greece - Argos, Larissa Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:28:52 +0000

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Larissa Castle (Κάστρο Λάρισα) - the ancient and medieval acropolis of the city of Argos - is located on the top of the Larissa hill on a height of 289 meters above the city of Argos. The first inhabitants of the area were the Pelasgians - pre-Hellenic people inhabiting parts of Greece - and the names "Argos" and "Larissa" are pelasgian. The meaning of the first was “valley” and of the latter “acropolis”.

Τhe castle was created in the 6th century B.C. but there was a fortification there since prehistoric times and the epoch of the Pelasgians. The medieval castle was first built by the Byzantines in the 10th century. During the Byzantine period, the fortress was of strategic importance. In 1203, it came under the control of the archon of Nafplio. In 1212 it was captured by Othon de la Roche, the Bourgoundian Duke of Athens, and was controlled by the Franks until 1388.

Between 1394 and 1463 it was occupied by the Venetians. In 1463 it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, interrupted during 1686-1715, when Larissa came under the control of the Venetians. The site was liberated by the Greeks in 1822 during the Greek War of Independence. .

Greece - Kastro, Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:38:42 +0000

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Chlemoutsi Castle (Κάστρο Χλεμούτσ) was founded in 1220-1223 by the ruler Godefridus I Villehardouin and was the strongest fortress of the Frankish principality of Achaia. Originally the castle was called “Château Clermont”, travellers referred to this incredible structure as “Castle Tornese” and the Byzantines called it “Chloumoutzi”.

Built in a strategic position, with an extensive view of the plain of Ilia and the Ionian Sea, it protected the capital Andravida, the important harbour of Glarenza and the palace of the house of Villehardouin within the walls of the castle. The castle was equipped with a double fortification. The central part of the castle, which stands at the hilltop, was a two-storey hexagonal structure and housed the princely palace. The halls were arranged around a central courtyard.

Chlemoutsi castle began to lose its important role in the defence of the region as early as the end of the Frankish occupation. In 1701 Grimani proposed its destruction. Its location did not serve the interests of the Venetians, which were related to the sea, and the already old castle required extensive work to repair and modernise it. Chlemoutsi remained in Turkish possession until the Greek War of Indepence of 1821.

Chlemoutsi Castle still retains its strong Frankish character and remains one of the most important and best preserved fortresses in Greece and is an excellent example of the fortress architecture of the Frankish era in the Peloponnese.

Nowadays some of the restored halls of the castle house a museum with about 500 objects on display (PiP5).

Greece - Methoni Castle, Bourtzi

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:29:41 +0000

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At the south edge of Methoni Castle a fortified islet floats. Bourtzi - as it is called - was built in the1500’s by the Venetians and is connected to the Sea Gate of the castle with a paved tiny road. At various times it was used as a fort, a prison, a lighthouse, and a refuge during periods of raids.

Bourtzi consists of an octagonal tower, which is surrounded by a low octagonal wall. The tower is built on two levels and is covered with a semi-cylindrical dome. A four-sided cistern occupies its ground floor.

Greece - Methoni Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 06:56:35 +0000

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Methoni Castle - one of the most important fortress complexes in Greece - was built after 1209 by the Venetians, who at the time were occupying the area and were seeking to fortify the towns from piracy and rivals seeking to overtake their territories. It was the Venetians who began to build the castle, while during its occupation by the Franks and Ottomans, it unavoidably underwent their alterations.

The castle reached its great prime during the 1st Venetian Rule, between the 13th and the 15th century, while its final decline came about around 1828, when its inhabitants were transferred outside the walls, leaving it to ruin.

The Castle of Methoni covers an area of approximately 93,000 square metres and is divided into two parts. The south part is taken up by the city, which is surrounded by a simple wall, while the city’s fort lies at its northern part, with exterior fortification owing to its defensive purpose. The castle is separated from the land by a ditch and can be reached by a stone bridge with 14 arches.

Greece - Kalamata, castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 07:09:00 +0000

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The castle of Kalamata is situated on a hilltop northwest of the modern city. It was originally constructed during the Byzantine times and even an ancient acropolis before the Trojan War. In the beginning of the 13th century Gottfried A Villard, Frank prince and founder of the Principality of Achaea, conducted a large reconstruction of the castle, which resulted to its present form of a typical Byzantine fort.

A shelter-like tower with a vaulted cistern is situated on the wall’s steepest side. There are two fortification zones: the hilltop was protected by the inner fortificationline, while a second outer fortification zone surrounded the accessible and more vulnerable east side of the castle. The fortification walls were developed following the natural terrain and bore bastions, not preserved today. During the second Venetian occupation, which lasted from 1685 to 1715, new alterations and repairs took place.

Among them stands out the reconstruction of the East Gate, where was immured a slab bearing a winged lion, landmark of Venice. In 1825 the castle suffered extended destructions caused by the Ottoman army.

In the 6th century a chuch was built in the castle devoted to Virgin Mary. An icon of here in the church became famous as Kalomata (= “beautiful eyes”). This later evolved to “Kalamata”, which became the name of the church, castle and city.

Nederland - Vorden, Kasteel Hackfort

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:29:39 +0000

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The earliest known history of Kasteel Hackfort (Hackfort Castle) is dating back to the year of 1324, when the Lord of Bronckhorst commissioned the building of a castle. In 1392 ‘House Hacforden’ was nothing more than just a residential tower and a moat. In 1586 the castle was destroyed by the Spanish troops during the Eighty Year's War (the Dutch Independent War). After the liberation of the region by Prince Maurits van Oranje, the castle was rebuilt in 1598 by Borchard van Westerholt.

In 1788, Kasteel Hackfort underwent substantial renovations. The old gate house and outbuildings were demolished and the canals were filled in. The castle was transformed into an 18th-century manor house. Nowadays only the two thick cylindrical towers are reminders of the (former) castle. The castle is surrounded by forests and meadows and includes Hackfort Watermill.

The castle remained for centuries in the possession of the family Van Westerholt. When the last Baroness Westerholt of Hackfort died in1981, Kasteel Hackfort and estate were donated to Natuurmonumenten (a Dutch society for preservation of nature monuments).

Nederland - Haarzuilens, Kasteel de Haar

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:22:02 +0000

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Kasteel de Haar (The Haar Castle) is one of the most visited castles in the Netherlands. Originally it was named Het Huys te Haer. However the current Gothic fairy-tale castle was built between 1892 and 1912 with incorporation of the large 15th century ruins of the original castle.

Kasteel de Haar was first mentioned in 1391 along a blind arm of the river Rhine. Originally the owner was a member of the “Van de Haar” family. In 1449 the castle became property of the “Van Zuylen” family through the marriage between Josyna van de Haar and Dirk van Zuylen. Several families owned the castle until 1890 when baron “Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt”, inherited Kasteel de Haar (by then the castle had been in a ruinous and desolate state for almost two centuries). In 1887 Etienne had married the French baroness Helene de Rothschild (member of the extremely wealthy De Rothschild family), which enabled him to rebuilt the castle.

In 1892 the rebuilding of Kasteel de Haar started under the direction of the well known Dutch architect Cuypers. It's his interpretation of the ‘medieval’ castle one can see today. The interior was rebuilt in an un-Dutch luxurious style, it was equipped with electricity and the former courtyard, covered with a large roof, was turned into an imprerssive central hall. The interior is luxuriously decorated with a large but incoherent collection of valuable antiques from all over the world.

In 2000 the ownership of the castle was transferred to “Stichting Kasteel de Haar”. This foundation worked to transform the place into a museum and event center. The castle has 200 rooms - although not all of them can be visited. A couple of rooms are arranged with realistic displays to show how the castle would have looked like in his days of parties. Nowadays Kasteel de Haar is (almost) open daily for visitors.

Greece - Platamon Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:29:39 +0000

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Platamon Castle is dating back to the middle Byzantine period (10th century AD). It is situated at the location of the ancient city of Heraclia. The name “Platamon” appears for the first time in an imperial order of 1198 but, most probably, there was already a Byzantine castle there, since the 10th century.

Following the fall of Constantinople during the 4th Crusade in 1204, Lombardian crusaders took over the land and built a castle on top of the remains of the old structure. The castle functioned as a strategic lookout point over the passage between Macedonia and southern Greece. Despite their efforts to retain control of the castle, it wasn’t long before the Byzantines took it over again. In 1218, the Komnenos, a Byzantine noble family, established dominion over the castle.

The Turks captured the castle in 1385 and paid much attention to its maintenance because they needed the castle to control the strategically important area. After a short break between 1425 and 1427, when the Venetians managed to conquer the castle, the Turks returned and stayed until the beginning of the 20th century.

During World War II, in April 1941, a unit of New Zealanders tried to defend Platamon but were forced to leave after the bombardment of the castle by the Germans.

The Castle of Platamon is located southeast of Mount Olympus near the village of Platamon. The landmark of the castle is the well-preserved octagonal tower with a height of 16 meters.

Greece - Parga castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Jaap van 't Veen) — Wed, 24 May 2023 06:26:26 +0000

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The castle of Parga dominates a rock peninsula on the Ioanian Sea. It was originally built in the 11th century by the inhabitants of Parga to protect their city from the pirates and the Turks, but it was partially destroyed by several invasions. In 1401 Parga became Venetian possession enjoying important privileges that contributed to its gradual commercial and economic development.

The castle was rebuilt by the Venetians at the beginning of the 15th century, but was again destroyed by the Ottomans in 1571and reconstructed by the Venetians one year later after the naval battle of Lepanto. The end of Venetian rule at Parga and its occupation successively by the French, Russian-Turks and British was followed by the sale of the city to Ali Pasha of Ioannina in 1819 by Thomas Maitland, the British High Commissioner of the Ioanian islands.

Parga caste has the shape of an irregular polygon. Its stout fortification wall encloses a hil on which large of landfill suitable for building were created around the edges. The defence was completed by eight towers outside the castle. The arched entrance gate is protected by a semicircular bastion. During the period of Ottoman occupation Ali Pasha built an interior fortification wall with a polygonal bastion inside the castle, enclosing the citadel, which is at higher level. A large building complex, bathhouses, cisterns and a mosque were erected in the citadel, also during the Ottoman period. These building interventions entailed the demolition of large parts of the earlier defences and of the town and changed the form of the castle.

From the castle one has wonderful views towards Parga (PiP3) and Valtos beach (PiP4).