A visit to our friends in the Netherlands is never complete without going to see Heeswijk Castle. If you had to imagine a fairy tale castle, you might very well come up with something like Heeswijk! It was built over a thousand years ago, and it is situated in the province of North Brabant.
This castle now seems very pretty and ornamental, and while we were there a wedding was taking place – which I imagine happens regularly – the photos of the happy day must be stunning with such a backdrop!
However the castle isn’t just a fairy-tale location; Heeswijk caastle played an important part in the history of the Netherlands. It originally was built as a motte and bailey castle, very much for defence, but it was in the seventeenth century that it was so crucial in the Dutch war with Spain.. It was fought over for nearly thirty years, Prince Mauritz who led the revolt against Spanish rule tried to capture the castle twice, but his half-brother succeeded in 1629.
Sadly, as with so many buildings which had been key in medieval and post-medieval defence, the castle fell into a sorry state, no longer needed as a strategic command. Luckily it was bought and restored in the nineteenth century, and not just restored but reconstructed and enlarged.
Even if you don’t speak Dutch, there are some great images here:
http://www.kasteelheeswijk.nl/
Lois Elsden 