Amerongen Castle

Amerongen Castle
Kasteel Amerongen
Amerongen Castle was built for Godard Adriaan van Reede (1621–1691).
Map
Interactive map of the Amerongen Castle area
General information
TypeCastle
Architectural styleDutch Baroque
LocationAmerongen, Utrecht Netherlands, Drostestraat 20
Coordinates51°59′43″N 5°27′30″E / 51.99528°N 5.45833°E / 51.99528; 5.45833
Completed1662
OwnerStichting Kasteel Amerongen
Design and construction
ArchitectMaurits Post

Amerongen Castle (Dutch: Kasteel Amerongen [kɑˌsteːl ˈaːmɛrɔŋə(n)]) is a castle in Amerongen, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Netherlands. It 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.

History

The current house was built for the owners Godard Adriaan van Reede and his wife Margaretha Turnor. The building is a typical example of Dutch Baroque architecture, though the architect remains unkown. The painted ceiling in the main hall is by Willem van Nimwegen.[1] In the early 20th century by P.J.H. Cuypers added ornaments in several other rooms.[1] The gardens contain historical elements and the walls predate 1673.[1] Near the entrance bridge dating from 1678 is a wooden clock tower from 1728 that contains the original clock of the same date.[1] In the northeast corner of the gardens is an orangerie dating from the 1880s; the north wall was raised during the period when Wilhelm II was residing there 1918–1920.[1] He abdicated in Amerongen then moved to Huis Doorn.

Video installation

Interior view of the laundry room in the basement, before preservation.

From 2002 to 2011 the castle was restored as a partnership between the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed and various funds in the cultural heritage sector. To celebrate the completion of the restoration activities, a video installation by Saskia Boddeke and Peter Greenaway was presented to visitors at the castle from July 1, 2011, to June 21, 2012.[2] Through sophisticated video projections visitors are taken back in time to 21 June 1680. In 37 minutes the story is told on 21 different screens throughout the castle. The castle functions today as a museum and is open from 11 to 5 PM from Thursday to Sunday.

Aerial view

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Rijksmonument report
  2. ^ "Kasteel Amerongen, Midzomerdag 1680 op Kasteel Amerongen". Kasteelamerongen.nl. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-11-24.