Buren Castle

To the west of Buren is a rectangular site where Buren Castle once stood. A cemetery was set up on part of the castle grounds. To commemorate the existence of the castle, a kind of monument was built from a hodgepodge of some architectural parts, on which a plaque is attached.

The castle itself was demolished years ago, although foundations are still present in the ground. These foundations were partly excavated in 2003. By digging some well-chosen test trenches, which include both the outer bailey and the main castle, one has gained a good idea of what the castle looked like in the past and what the condition of the foundations is today.

Like several other medieval castles, Buren Castle originated from a keep, a large square tower, which seems to have been there before the year 1200. In later times, other buildings were built against and around it and a wall was built around the whole. This created the large complex of the main castle, of which the keep remained the central part, and an outer bailey.

Later, additional fortifications were also built on the surrounding site. The outer bailey usually included a farm with storehouses and wagon sheds, so that the inhabitants of the castle could support themselves.

The castle was besieged several times, sometimes causing major damage, but each time the castle was restored. Initially, the lords of Buren were lords and masters here, but in the fifteenth century Buren Castle came into the hands of the well-to-do van Egmond family. This family had the castle expanded and improved in an unintent-minded way.

When Charles V visited Buren in 1545, the castle was completely furnished. Only the defences still needed to be improved. The latter work was completed in 1548.

In 1551 the Archbishop of Cologne came to Buren with a large retinue of 600 men. On 8 July, William of Orange married the wealthy Anna van Buren-van Egmond in Buren Castle.

Forty-four years later, another grand marriage took place. Then their only daughter Maria married Philip of Hohenlohe-Langenberg. The German nobility was also very well represented at this wedding. Through Prince Maurice, Buren Castle came to Prince Frederik Hendrik. He has never lived in Buren. He did, however, have the castle renovated. Most of the work involved internal modifications and repairs.

After the death of Frederick Henry, a period of decline began for the castle of Buren. Finally, in 1789, the billeted Prussian troops dealt the death blow to Buren. After the revolution, nothing was done to Buren Castle, because no good use could be found for the castle.

In 1804, the government of the time therefore gave permission for demolition. There were always sales of incoming materials. Finally, in 1883, the front gate was also demolished. This marked the end of an impressive medieval castle.
Only the castle grounds have remained largely intact, so that we can still see exactly where Buren Castle stood. In the Orange Museum in the town of Buren there is a large model, which shows the castle very well as it looked at its peak

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