Paleis Soestdijk

Soestdijk began as a hunting lodge in the 1670s, was given to William II of the Netherlands by the nation after the battle of Quatre Bras in 1815 and extended with two long wings, and became the home of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard from 1937 until their deaths in 2004 - more than sixty years in which the palace was the working royal residence and the site of the annual birthday defile, when tens of thousands of people filed past the family on the steps with flowers. Since 2004 it has stood empty. It was sold by the state in 2017 to a private consortium with plans for a hotel, housing and events, and those plans have been repeatedly contested, revised and delayed in planning disputes; the building has meanwhile been opened for exhibitions and tours. The park and the Baarnse Bos behind are extensive. Check what is actually open before travelling.

History

The country house was built in the mid-17th century for Cornelis de Graeff, whose sons played here with the young William III, and in 1674 Jacob de Graeff sold it to William III, who had Maurits Post build a hunting lodge in 1674-1678. In 1815 it was given to the future King William II, the two wings were added in 1816-1821, and Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard lived here from 1937 until their deaths in 2004 (Wikipedia, Soestdijk Palace).

What's there

• A royal home of over sixty years - Juliana and Bernhard's residence from 1937 to 2004.
• Two long nineteenth-century wings - added after the 1815 gift to William II.
• A contested future - sold in 2017, with plans repeatedly delayed in planning disputes.
• Extensive parkland - the grounds and the Baarnse Bos behind the palace.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Good to know

Access has been irregular since 2004 and depends on what exhibitions or tours are running - confirm before travelling, as the site closes for long periods. The redevelopment is unresolved and parts are fenced.

Nearby

Baarn is beside it; Soesterduinen and Amersfoort are east.

Key facts