Kasteel Strijen, Medieval castle ruins in Oosterhout, Netherlands.
Kasteel Strijen is a medieval defensive tower in Oosterhout, in the Netherlands, sitting on a small island between Bovensteweg and Hoofseweg. It is the only remaining part of what was once a larger fortified complex, surrounded on all sides by moats.
The tower was built around 1289 to serve as a border fortress between two large territories that competed for control of the region. Over the centuries it lost its military purpose and gradually fell into ruin, leaving only the tower standing.
The tower sits on a small island surrounded by moats that are still visible today. Walking along the path near the site, you can easily picture how the structure once watched over the flat land around it.
The tower can be seen from the walking path along Kasteeldreef and is visible from several angles as you walk around the site. The inside is not open to visitors, so a stroll around the exterior is the best way to take in the whole structure.
Excavations carried out in the 1930s and again in the 1970s uncovered the original footprint of the building, including traces of multiple floors. These finds allowed researchers to reconstruct what the full structure looked like long before it was reduced to its current state.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
