Kasteel Doornenburg

Doornenburg has an unusual plan: a main castle and a separate fortified forecourt, each with its own moat, joined by a bridge - the voorburcht holds the farm, chapel and stables and the hoofdburcht the residential keep, which is a full medieval arrangement rarely surviving intact. It was built up from the thirteenth century. It was left almost entirely in ruins in 1945 and rebuilt between 1947 and 1968. In 1968 the television series Floris, with Rutger Hauer in his first major role, was filmed here. It is now a museum with guided tours through both wards.

Highlights

• Two castles and a bridge - a fortified forecourt and keep, each with its own moat.
• Rebuilt from rubble - in ruins in 1945, reconstructed between 1947 and 1968.
• A complete medieval arrangement - farm, chapel and stables separated from the residence.
• The Floris location - the television series filmed here in 1968.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Practical notes

Almost everything is postwar reconstruction. Guided tours only, seasonal, with set times. The Betuwe around it is orchard and motorway country. Book in summer.

Nearby

Millingerwaard and the Gelderse Poort are east; Nijmegen is south.

Key facts