May 5, 2010

Castle Loevestein needs new castle watchers

Filed under: Architecture,General by Orangemaster @ 6:11 am
Loevestein

Slot Loevestein is looking for new castle watchers (or just one, but two works better I presume), as the couple currently acting as such, as well as running the bed & breakfast on the grounds, is retiring.

This 14th century castle used to be a prison, and one of its most famous inmates was lawyer, poet and politician Hugo de Groot (Hugo Grotius) often protrayed as the ‘father of modern international law’. In 1621 Hugo de Groot pulled off a very cool escape in a book chest, an idea he got from his wife, Maria van Reigersberg who was living in the castle, albeit probably not locked up.

(Link: rtl.nl, Photo of Castle Loevestein by StimpsonJCat, some rights reserved)

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January 26, 2009

Castle looking for lord

Filed under: Architecture,General by Branko Collin @ 1:06 pm

The foundation that takes care of the Brederode Castle near Santpoort (close to Haarlem) is looking for a couple that will live in and maintain the property. Unfortunately, this is not as romantic as it sounds, as the castle itself is in ruins. Algemeen Dagblad reports (Dutch) that the foundation, Kastelenstichting Holland & Zeeland, is looking for someone who is married, who will maintain the grounds and the collections, and who will provide visitors with information and coffee. The “lord of the manor” will get to live in a house on the property.

As you can see in the illustration, Brederode was already in ruins in Hobbema’s time. The castle was built in the 13th century and given as a loaner to the Brederode family by the Count of Holland. In 1426 part of the castle was destroyed and its occupant, Lord Brederode, was forbidden to restore it, says Wikipedia. No idea if that rule still stands.

Job description here, in Dutch.

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