Schonauwen, Medieval castle ruins in Houten, Netherlands
Schonauwen is a castle ruin in Houten where only a round tower remains, surrounded by a water-filled moat and standing among modern buildings on the southern outskirts. The structure was built from brick and displays the characteristic architecture of noble estates from that period.
The estate began in 1261 as a farm for the Norbertine Abbey of Mariënweerd and transformed into a noble residence by the end of the 14th century. This shift shows how agricultural properties later became valuable homes for the upper class.
The site received recognition as a Ridderhofstad in 1536, marking its position among the noble estates of Utrecht's region, even though promised privileges never materialized. Today the ruins stand as a reminder of how important such properties were in local society.
The ruin is located on Granietsteen Street on the south side of Houten and is easy to reach from the residential and city areas nearby. Visitors can enter the site at any time since it sits in a publicly accessible area.
The tower survived destruction in 1812 and underwent restoration in 1939 by Dr. Willem Wassin, head of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital. This restoration preserved an important piece of local history for future generations.
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