Loevestein
| Loevestein Castle | |
|---|---|
| Slot Loevestein | |
| Poederoijen, the Netherlands | |
| File:Slotloevestein.jpg
Slot Loevestein
|
|
| File:Slot loevestein 1621.jpg
Slot Loevestein (1621)
|
|
 Loevestein Castle
|
|
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Good |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1361 |
| Built by | Dirc Loef van Horne |
Loevestein Castle (Dutch: Slot Loevestein) is a medieval castle built by the knight Dirc Loef van Horne (hence "Loef's stein" ((stone)) house) between 1357 and 1397.
Until the Second World War Loevestein Castle was part of the Hollandic Water Line, the main Dutch defense line that was based on flooding an area of land south and east of the western provinces. Currently the castle is used as a medieval museum and function centre.
History
Loevestein is a water castle that was built between 1357 and 1368. It was built in a strategic location in the middle of the Netherlands, where the Maas and Waal rivers come together (just west of current day villages Poederoijen and Brakel, in the municipality of Zaltbommel, in Gelderland). At first it was a simple square brick building, used to charge toll from trading vessels using the rivers. In the 16th century (around 1575, orders given by William the Silent) it was expanded to a larger fortress surrounded by earthen fortifications with two (later three) stone bastions on the northern side, two moats, an arsenal, and housing for a commander and soldiers. The Castle was also part of the Hollandic Water Line.
It changed hands twice between the Northern Dutch and the Spanish during the Eighty Years' War: on December 9, 1570, it was taken by the Geuzen; ten days later by the Spanish again; and on June 25, 1572, it was retaken by the Dutch.
From 1619 the castle became a prison for political prisoners. One famous inmate was the eminent lawyer, poet and politician Hugo de Groot (Hugo Grotius) often presented as the "father of modern international law", who was serving a controversially imposed life sentence from 1619. In 1621, his wife Maria van Reigersberg, who was also staying at the castle, hid with him in a book chest that was regularly brought for them.[1][2] He subsequently became the Swedish Ambassador to France for 10 years. Another high-profile inmate was the English Vice-Admiral George Ayscue.
In literature
In Alexandre Dumas, père's novel La Tulipe Noire, the main character Cornelius Van Baerle is imprisoned at Loevestein.
See also
Gallery
-
Loevenstein kruittoren.jpg
Gunpowder tower at castle Loevestein.
Source
- Kransber, D. & H. Mils, Kastelengids van Nederland, middeleeuwen, Bussem 1979 (ISBN 90 228 3856 0)
- Kalkwiek, K.A., A.I.J.M. Schellart, H.P.H. Jansen & P.W. Geudeke, Atlas van de Nederlandse kastelen, Alphen aan den Rijn 1980 (ISBN 90 218 2477 9)
- Helsdingen, H.W. van, Gids voor de Nederlandse kastelen en buitenplaatsen, Amsterdam 1966
- Tromp, H.M.J., Kijk op kastelen Amsterdam 1979 (ISBN 90 10 02446 6)
- http://www.holland.com/global/tourism/article/loevestein-castle-1.htm
References
External links
 |
Dutch Rijksmonument 10081 |
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons- Loevestein Castle home page (Dutch)
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing Dutch-language text
- Articles with Dutch-language external links
- Buildings and structures completed in 1397
- Houses completed in the 14th century
- Historic house museums in the Netherlands
- Military and war museums in the Netherlands
- National museums of the Netherlands
- Castles in Gelderland
- Museums in Gelderland
- Rijksmonuments in Gelderland
- Zaltbommel
