Drakesteijn, 17th century castle in Lage Vuursche, Netherlands
Drakesteijn is a castle from the 1600s in the municipality of Baarn, sitting on a man-made island within a moat. A stone bridge leads to the entrance, and the building forms an eight-sided shape surrounded by trees and meadows.
Gerard van Reede built the present structure between 1640 and 1643, replacing an older building first recorded in 1360. Over the centuries the property changed hands several times until it became part of royal holdings in the 20th century.
The surrounding area feels quiet and wooded, with narrow lanes that have long attracted Dutch families looking for weekend retreats. The name comes from the family who first held the land, linking the building to centuries of noble ownership.
The property is privately owned and cannot be visited, but views of the exterior are possible from nearby public paths. The surrounding woodland offers walking and cycling routes that let you see the setting from a distance.
The eight-sided design is rare among Dutch castles and sets this building apart from most fortified homes in the country. Each side measures the same length, giving the whole structure a clear symmetry that you can see from the outside.
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