De Haar Castle is a magnificent medieval-style castle located in the Netherlands. It is one of the largest and most luxurious castles in the country, which makes it the most popular Dutch castle and the most visited one. And there’s reason for that. Whether you are staying in Amsterdam or Utrecht, De Haar Castle is an easy day trip.
Read more:
🏰 15 beautiful castles in the Netherlands that you should visit
🏰 5 castle hotels for every budget in South Limburg
Read further to find out why De Haar Castle is worth visiting and what to expect from your visit to this Dutch fairytale castle.
Contents
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of those links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you.
What is De Haar Castle?
De Haar Castle (Kasteel de Haar in Dutch) is not your average medieval castle. It has the allure and the flamboyancy of the French castles along the Loire, rather than the practicality and the defensive purposes of the rest of the Dutch castles.
Tip: If you are interested into medieval castles, then you should visit Muiderslot, Slot Loevenstein or Hoensbroek Castle.
The original castle on the site was built in the 14th century but fell into disrepair over the years. In the late 19th century, the castle was rebuilt and extensively renovated by the Rothschild family, who were wealthy bankers. The renovation was carried out by the architect Pierre Cuypers, known for his work on the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
De Haar Castle reflects a mix of historical architectural styles, including Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance elements. It features turrets, drawbridges, moats, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The interiors are opulent, with lavish furnishings and decorations.
Practical info
Address: Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Haarzuilens
Admission fee: adults – 19 EUR / 7 EUR only the park, kids (4-12 yoa) – 12,50 EUR / 5 EUR only the park; parking – 7,50 EUR
Opening times: daily, from 10 am till 5 pm; the park: from 9 am till 5 pm
Website: www.kasteeldehaar.nl
History of the castle
Early history
The early history of De Haar Castle is somewhat obscured, but it is believed to have its roots in the 13th century. The first written mention of De Haar Castle dates back to 1391. Originally, the castle was owned by a member of the Van der Haar family, who served as a vassal to the Prince-Bishop of Utrecht.
In the 15th century, De Haar Castle got in the hands of the Van Zuylen family when Josina van de Haar married Dirk van Zuylen. The castle likely took on its unique pentagonal shape following its destruction during the 1482 conflicts between the bishop and the city of Utrecht, leading to subsequent reconstruction.
1892 – the fairytale renovation
In 1890 Baron Etienne van Zuylen de Nyevelt and his wife Baroness Hélène, née de Rotschild inherited the castle. By that time the castle was fallen in a state of disrepair and was nothing more than a ruin. The baron decided to collaborate with the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers, who was already known for the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Central Station, to bring the castle to its former glory.
Fun fact: Baroness Hélène was a motoring pioneer and the first woman to compete in an international motor race.
The reconstruction aimed to revive the castle in a neo-Gothic style, drawing inspiration from medieval aesthetics. The process involved meticulous attention to historical accuracy, with Baron Etienne and Cuypers working together to rebuild the castle according to its original contours. The result was a grand and opulent structure that combined modern comforts with the charm of a bygone era.
During the reconstruction, the castle’s layout was expanded, and modern amenities were incorporated, including features such as running water, central heating, electricity, a Turkish bath, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and even a personal elevator. These additions were considered extravagant for the time, showcasing Baron Etienne’s desire to modernize the castle while preserving its historical character.
The September Tradition
The reconstructed De Haar Castle became a symbol of the opulence and lifestyle of the European aristocracy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Baron Etienne and Baroness Hélène were known for their lavish lifestyle and their desire to entertain guests in grand style.
In the early 1900s a tradition was established known as the ‘September Tradition‘. Annually, as summer drew to a close, the baron and baroness would reside in the castle, hosting lavish receptions, including splendid dinners and glamorous soirées. Their guests, often comprising royalty, European nobility, bankers, film stars, and politicians, were ensured a flawless experience during the famous September Tradition.
Visiting De Haar Castle
De Haar Castle is open to the public, offering visitors a chance to explore its rich history, impressive architecture, and beautiful surroundings. When visiting the castle you can opt for a combined ticket to visit both the castle and the park, or you can visit only the park at a reduced price.
In total there are 200 rooms in the castle of which only 20 are open to the public. A few times per year there are special tours that also show through otherwise not accessible rooms. So, if you happen to be on such a day in the castle, do not hesitate to join the tour!
The Bel Étage
Once you enter the castle you are immediately awestruck. Is this a Gothic cathedral or a luxury hotel lobby? The 18-meter-high wooden vault of the Main Hall, adorned with lavish gold leaf decorations, stained-glass windows and rosettes, was once an open courtyard, which was enclosed during the 1892-1912 restoration.
At the bel étage you can visit the dining room, where the famous dinner parties with celebrities were held, the ball room where the balls were held all night long, and the study room. There’s also the Knights’ Hall, adorned with references to medieval knighthood and mythical heroes.
Guests were welcomed there with tea, petit fours, and sandwiches upon arrival, while in the evening, gentlemen gathered for drinks, cigars, and whiskey sours before and after dinner.
The first floor
The first floor is where all bedrooms are. They all are decorated differently and the guests visiting the castle would get fresh flowers and magazines according to their own taste. Among the castle’s famous guests were Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, Georges Pompidou, and Jean Cocteau. In the 60s regulars were Brigitte Bardot, Gina Lollobrigida, Joan Collins, Yves Saint Laurent, Roger Moore, and Gregory Peck.
The basement
In the basement you can find the kitchen of the castle which was absolutely state-of-the-art when it was installed in 1898. The massive, double coal-fired stove stands prominently in the middle of the room. Grates in the floor around the stove facilitated air supply for the two coal fires, and the smoke was vented underground to the chimney behind the spit-turning hearth on the north wall. The whole kitchen together with the kitchenware came from France.
Beside the cooking kitchen, in the basement there’s also the washing kitchen, the vegetable kitchen, the dairy kitchen and the butcher’s shop.
The Castle Gardens
The castle gardens are as imposing as the castle itself. The 55-ha area around the castle is divided into an English landscape park and castle gardens in French style. The gardens are partly a reconstruction of the original gardens with water features, groves, vegetable gardens and aviaries.
Fun fact: 7000 40-year-old trees were transported from all over the Utrecht province at night on two-wheeled timber carts for the English park.
My favorite part of the castle gardens is the Rose Garden. With more than 1200 roses and 79 different species, this garden is a true roses paradise. In the middle of the garden there is monument dedicated to the oldest son of Baron Etienne, Baron Hélin, who died in 1912 at the age of 24 in a car accident.
The Chapel
The chapel next to the castle doesn’t actually belong to the castle. It belonged to the old village of Haarzuilens that was moved to make place for the current castle and its domain. In 1898 the village was moved about 1,5 km to the east of its original place.
How to get to De Haar Castle?
De Haar Castle is located in the village Haarzuilens, near Utrecht. It’s a bit of a hustle to get from Amsterdam to De Haar Castle if you don’t rent a car, that’s why I can highly recommend an organized tour.
If you want to organize the trip yourself or you are coming from anywhere else in the country by public transport, you need first to get to Utrecht. Then take the sprinter train to The Hague and get off at Vleuten. In Vleuten take bus 127 and get off at Brink, Haarzuilen. Then it’s a15-minute walk to the castle.
In the weekends there is a direct bus from Vleuten to the castle – line 111. It takes about 2 hours to get to De Haar Castle by public transport from Amsterdam and about an hour from Utrecht.
If you are travelling by car, there’s special parking near the castle, which costs 7,50 EUR.
Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!
The best way to find out how to travel from A to B in the Netherlands is to use the Glimble app. You can buy your tickets in the app and travel hassle-free. The app is absolutely free to download.
Final Words
In conclusion, De Haar Castle is a very unique castle. Although it looks like a medieval castle, there’s nothing medieval about it. The castle provides a window into the grandeur of European aristocracy from end of the 19th century to late in the 20th century. From the lavish interiors to the meticulously designed gardens, every corner of De Haar Castle tells a story of a bygone era.
Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.
