The History of Duivenvoorde Castle
Duivenvoorde Castle, located in Voorschoten, Netherlands, is a site of continuous habitation and ownership. First mentioned in 1226, the structure is one of the oldest in South Holland. Its origins lie in a medieval square defensive tower, a donjon, which stood on this site around 1250. The castle underwent significant transformations to achieve its current appearance, specifically through renovations in 1631 and 1717. While the medieval foundations remain, the architectural style reflects the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
The estate has remained within the same lineage for much of its history. For the first five centuries, it was held by the Van Duivenvoorde family, who were part of the House of Wassenaer. In the late 17th century, Johan van Duvenvoorde readopted the name Van Wassenaer. The last private owner was Baroness Schimmelpenninck van der Oye. Following her death, the Duivenvoorde Foundation was established to preserve the house and its contents.
The Interior and Collections
The castle is organized into wings that reflect different periods of use. The central and north wings are designed to resemble a lived-in eighteenth-century residence. The south wing remains inhabited. Visitors move through historical rooms, including the library, the dining room, and the Marot room. The collection is composed of items that have remained with the house through generations.
The holdings include several specific categories of objects and portraiture:
- Family portraits, including works by Everard Crijnsz. van der Maes and Pieter Nason.
- Delftware and various types of porcelain, including Asian and European pieces.
- Loosdrecht dining sets.
- Real silver and textiles.
The Estate and Grounds
The castle is situated within a 260-hectare estate. The landscape has evolved through different design philosophies. In the early 17th century, a square park with canals was established. By the early 18th century, Arent IX van Wassenaer commissioned French gardens. In the 19th century, these were replaced by an English-style landscape park featuring ponds. Sandstone garden vases, dating to the early 18th century, remain on the bridge along the castle frontage.
The grounds include a walking park and the Paviljoen Duivenvoorde, located in the Leidsche garden. The estate provides a transition from the rural surroundings of the Randstad conurbation to a structured, historical landscape.