Loevestein Castle

A ferry makes the crossing from Woudrichem to the famous 14th-century castle Loevestein in Poederoijen. Around 1368, knight Dirc Loef van Horne had the castle built, at this strategic location, in the heart of the Netherlands, where Maas and Waal merge. Loevestein Castle, Loef's stone house, has succeeded very well in preserving its medieval character, despite numerous renovations.
In 1575, during the Eighty Years' War, William of Orange ordered the fortification of the castle. Around the castle, ramparts were built and an outer moat was dug. Soldiers were stationed within the ramparts; Initially in wooden barracks, later these were replaced by stone houses. The castle stood bare and empty in the middle of the fortress. It was therefore considered a suitable prison. Almost all rooms were used as cells and the main hall on the second floor, which is still called State Prison, was divided with wooden partitions. The prisoners were state prisoners of the Republic of the United Netherlands. The most famous prisoner is Hugo Grotius, who made Loevestein famous for his legendary escape in a bookcase.

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