Drakenburg, Medieval castle ruins in Baarn, Netherlands
Drakenburg is a castle near Baarn with ruins dating to the 14th century, including a former residential tower and foundations that reveal multiple construction phases. The remains show how a fortified stronghold developed into a larger residential estate with various interconnected structures.
Around 1300, Frederik van Drakenburg received peatlands near Baarn from the Bishop of Utrecht and established an initial estate. The property developed into a notable noble residence in the Utrecht region.
The castle demonstrates the evolution of Dutch nobility residences, transitioning from a defensive tower to an expanded estate with multiple wings and fortifications.
The site sits near Castle Groeneveld and can be explored while walking through the area. The ruins remain accessible and provide a view of how medieval castles were constructed and developed.
In the 1920s, the grounds were converted into an educational institution that served the community before closing during World War II. This transformation marks an unexpected shift from a historic noble residence to a modern learning space.
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