Discover Castle de Haar in the Netherlands

On our last European trip, we took our whole family with us to celebrate a special anniversary. We had the best time! In between family fun, we visited beautiful places, shopped for antiques, and took lots of pictures. Today I’d love to share this beautiful castle we visited early one summer morning – let’s Discover Castle de Haar in the Netherlands.

Discover Castle de Haar in the Netherlands

History

Most likely first built in the 13th century, the castle began as a middle ages large home, near the river Rhine, it was mentioned in 1391 in writing. Originally, the family Van der Haar owned the grand home, there are no drawings left from that time, sadly.

In the 15th century, the grand home had become a castle, and through the marriage of Josina van der Haar to Dirk van Zuylen, the castle changed families. Late in 1482, due to local fighting, the castle was almost completely destroyed, and rebuilt. Historians think this is when the iconic five cornered form of the castle was built.

Photos copyright Kasteel de Haar

At the end of the 19th century, baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijvelt inherited the castle, by then it was quite a wreck due to various wars, as well as natural disasters. The baron met Hélène de Rothschild in Paris, and when they married, he was able to rebuild the castle in grand style with her money.

Together with architect Pierre Cuypers who designed the Rijksmuseum and Central Station in Amsterdam, the castle was rebuilt, fitted with hot and cold running water, electricity and all the comforts available at the time. The castle was used one month a year by the family as a vacation home.

Baron and Baroness

Baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijvelt and baroness Hélène de Rothschild-van Nijvelt were known during their life time as great automobile and airplane enthusiasts. The baron was one of the very first European automobile and airplane champions, the baroness also drove and even won an automobile race.

The castle remained in the family’s care until 2000. At that time it was transferred to the foundation Kasteel de Haar. Even though the family no longer owns the property, they retain the right to stay in the ‘little castle’ for the month of September like generations before them.

The Gardens

The grounds are beautiful! There are extensive gardens to wander around in, a rose garden, classical gardens with large classical sculptures, a deer park, even a maze! Our little people had a great time finding each other in the maze….

The Living Spaces

The castle has large rooms ‘for living daily life’ on the first floor. There are sitting rooms, a cozy office, dining rooms, a grand ball room and more.

The grand entrance hall below. That is a huge marble jardiniere that used to be filled with plants and flowers, these days the castle displays some of their gorgeous collections on a glass top lighted from above for visitors to enjoy.

Guests were welcomed with tea, petit fours and sandwiches after their arrival in the grand living area, below. In the evening, drinks were served here before and after dinner, especially by the gentlemen, with cigars and whiskey sours.

The ballroom, below, has the most incredible ceiling. With stunning tapestries depicting Bible stories, some of the children’s toys are displayed here, like the beautiful hand painted wood sled and dog cart shown in this photograph.

The dining room with its electrified huge gilded brass chandelier, beautifully carved wall panels and a massive tapestry covering almost the whole side of the room. Hospitality was a top priority for Baron Etienne, it’s why this room is one of the richest and most festive in the entire castle.

The Bedrooms

Each of the many bedrooms were decorated to be completely different from each other. Every one of them is lovely, and has its own character. Some are said to be haunted, like the beautiful white room below.

Staff on the 3d Floor

The staff bedrooms were quite different than that of the family and guests. Located on the third floor, for the time period they were considered quite progressive and luxurious for staff. Some staff shared a room, but there were good pieces for clothes storage, a wash basin and a desk and several chairs for each staff member.

The Kitchen

The ‘old kitchen” shown below is located in the basement and was in use until the 1970’s. The cooking range was made in Paris by Atelier Briffault et G. Drouet, it was fed with coal. Working in the kitchen was hard, the range was kept fired up 24/7, making the temperature in the kitchen below stairs often above 100 degrees! The beautiful copper pans were used to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, even empty they could weigh as much as 44 pounds.

The castle is open to the public most of the time. You can celebrate your wedding in the castle {!!} and there are special dinners and events throughout the year. You’ll have to book tickets online, they only sell a certain amount of tickets per day so that it is never too crowded.

Inspired by the elegance, the beauty and the antiques we saw at the castle, I was thrilled to find storied antiques to enliven your interior for you to be able to conjure up the magic of elegant gracious living in your own home.

Antique French Gilt Photo Frames, Antique and Vintage Meissen Porcelain, Silver Hot Chocolate Spoons, Antique Silver Plated Kettle on Warmer engraved with Ferns. Some of the things we chose at market to add the romance and elegance of the Castle to your home!