Drakensteyn Castle

Castle Drakensteyn is a castle and estate located near Lage Vuursche, municipality of Baarn.

In 1360, the first mention of a farmstead Drakesteyn is made. It is in 1385 that Frederik van Drakenburg is granted the fief of Drakesteyn.

The ancient history of Drakensteyn is closely linked to that of the Knight's farmstead Drakenburg, which was located nearby and was demolished in the 19th century.

In 1634, Ernst van Reede becomes the owner of Drakensteyn. His son Gerard has a new, fully symmetrical octagonal house built in 1640, possibly designed by Jacob van Campen. The house is recognized as a knight's seat and Gerard becomes a knight. During that time, the village of Lage Vuursche is also constructed. Knight Gerard has a church built - with a rectory - a school, a mill, and an inn.

In the Golden Age, a large number of castles and country houses are remodeled and built in the Laagte of Pijnenburg, such as Soestdijk - later the Soestdijk Palace - Castle de Hooge Vuursche, De Eult, Pijnenburg, and Eeuwijckshoeve.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle changes ownership several times. In 1780, a renovation takes place, altering the appearance of the house: the Ionic columns are removed. In 1807, Drakensteyn becomes the property of Mr. Paulus Wilhelmus Bosch, mayor of Utrecht. The house remains in the family for 150 years until it is sold in 1959 by Frederik Lodewijk Bosch van Drakestein to Princess Beatrix. She has the castle restored and moves in in 1963. After she becomes queen, she moves to The Hague in 1981. Since then, Drakensteyn has been used as a country and guest residence.

In 2006, it was announced that Drakensteyn would be renovated to make the castle habitable again. Some meters are added, and it is fully secured and prepared for the 21st century. This announcement fueled rumors that the abdication of Queen Beatrix was imminent, but the Government Information Service did not respond to this.

Kils