Castle of Bredevoort, Medieval castle ruins in Bredevoort, Netherlands.
The Castle of Bredevoort was a medieval fortified structure, of which only foundation walls and fragments remain visible today beneath ground level. Archaeological work in 2009 uncovered these remains and marked their exact locations for visitors to understand.
The fortification was first recorded in 1188 as castrum Breidervort and served an important role in the region for centuries. It met complete destruction in 1646 when lightning ignited the powder tower, causing a catastrophic explosion.
The settlement grew outward from this fortified site, which shaped how the town was built and organized. The layout you see today still reflects the position of the original medieval structure.
Brass markers set into the town square floor show where the castle walls once stood, helping you visualize the original structure without excavation. Walking around these markings gives you a clear sense of the fortress layout and its size within the town.
An explosion in 1646 killed nearly the entire Haersolte family who lived in the castle, with one remarkable exception. The son Anthonie survived only because he happened to be away that day.
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