Doorwerth Castle, the Netherlands

The Doorwerth Castle is a medieval castle located on the river Rhine near the city of Arnheim, the Netherlands. The castle was built in the 13th century and was first mentioned in written sources in year 1260 when it was besieged and burned to the ground. Afterwards was the first and probably wooden Doorwerth Castle rebuilt in stone. In 1280 followed another siege in which the bailey was burned down. In the following centuries the Doorwerth Castle passed through hands of several owners who rebuilt it for several times until it in 1560 reached its present appearance with exception of the bailey which was rebuilt in its present appearance in 1637.



By the 18th century was the castle uninhabited but was taken care by a steward for it owner who lived in England. However, by the 19th century it fell into neglect and was in 1837 bought by the baron JAP: van Brakell who restored and modernized it but after his death in 1844 the Doorwerth Castle fell into neglect again. In 1910 it was bought by a retired artillery officer FA. Hoefer who restored it and remove some of the 19th century alterations and additions. In 1913 was the castle transformed into a Dutch Artillery Museum. The Doorwerth Castle was severely damaged during the World War II and was afterwards being restored until 1983 when it was also opened to the public.