Doornenburg

#193 Kasteel Doornenburg
on the edge Doornenburg Village, Lingewaard, Gelderland, The Netherlands
Late thirteenth century plus later additions
This is NOT an official Lego site

The origins of Doornenburg Castle goes back to at least 891, when there was a fortified house, likely on the site, called Villa Dorenburc. There are several other mentions of Dorinburc and Dorenburg in the next couple of centuries. The year 1295 marks the first mention of Willem van Doornick, Lord of Doornenburg. It is in this time frame that the "villa" became fortified, and Kasteel Doornenburg was born. It should be noted here that the rectangular "keep" is actually the original structure, generally referred to as the "Main Castle".

Willem van Doornick's daughter married Dirck van Bylandt in 1369, and it is likely that Dirck or his son Johan began construction of the huge outer bailey. Construction continued on and off well into the 15th century. The Outer Castle eventually included not only the usual gatehouse, corner turrets and other fortifications, but a chapel, soldiers' quarters and dining hall, and even a cattle barn, as part of the unique farming function of Doornenburg. During the medieval and renaissance periods the castle was never attacked or under siege. During the Dutch Revolt [the War of 1568 to 1648] the castle owners carefully sided with the winning side throughout the changes in the Gelderse States. The castle was owned by six families in the centuries after the van Bylandts. The last occupant of the castle, Maria Clara von Delwig, renting from the Van der Heijden family, died at an advanced age in 1847, and the castle gradually fell into serious disrepair.

In 1936 textile industrialist J. H. van Heek bought the ruin from the current Baron Van der Heijden, and on the same day launched the Foundation for the Preservation of the Doornenburg. Restoration began in 1937 and was completed in 1941. In May 1940 the Nazi Germans invaded the Netherlands. They were so impressed with the restoration of the castle, that they made Doornenburg a regional headquarters. In January 1945 British bombers did some major damage to the outer bailey, and in March 1945 the British virtually leveled the Main Castle (see below). After the war, van Heek renewed restoration efforts, and with the help of both the Dutch government and many individual donors, Doornenburg was virtually completely restored to its medieval splendor, with the exception of the Soldiers' Quarters, Dining Hall and Ovens Building, which were not rebuilt. The castle has been a major tourist attraction and event venue since restoration was completed in 1966. In 1969, the television series, "Floris", was filmed at Doornenburg. The series made Rutger Hauer, cast as Floris, and director Paul Verhoeven, famous, but production ended just short of the 13th and final episode due to running well over budget.


Our walkabout before actually visiting the castle...	...continues from the first four alongside the history above.	It was a beautiful spring day in 2019. A wonderful castle.	Here is a photo of part of the courtyard following the January 1945 Allied bombing.	And in March 1945, the British destroyed the Main Castle, used by the occupying Nazis as regional head- quarters. These pictures were taken after the war.


The view looking back as my wife Judy and I entered the courtyard.	The rebuilt cattle barn, and, doubtless, farm implement shed.	The business wing of the castle, including the entrance to the chapel.	The very-Dutch Langerack Tower, and the site of the soldiers' quarters and dining hall.	Our view from the bridge, just before we entered the Main Castle.


The plan of the Basement of the Main Castle, with the original entrance at the right end of the west (bottom) wall.	The plan of the 1st Floor, with the late medieval (and modern) entrance near the middle of the south wall.	The second story.	Battlement/Roof Level.	Here is an east/west cross-section.	And the longer north/south cross-section

Photos of the Lego Model Under construction in December 2024 - January 2025

Construction of the model begins on the morning of December16.	The model will cover my entire building table with one extension!	On December 17 the huge Outer Castle courtyard is almost ready to to laid.	As the older Main Castle waits patiently!


By the next day the Outer Castle has much more definition.	And on December 20 the courtyard is almost completely built...	...and the barn and administration building are well defined...	...as is the base of the gatehouse and curtain wall.	On December 21 the administration building building has dormers and some roofing.


Immediately after Christmas the gatehouse range is complete...	...and the soldiers' quarters, dining hall, and ovens are built. They're special since I could create them from scratch!	The chapel is also complete.	And here's the view of the Outer Castle from the south. Time for the Main Castle!


On December 30 lots of progress has been made, with the view from the east showing both old and new entrances.	And the view from the southwest.	A snapshot, taken on January 1, will be the final construction picture.	I await several types and colors of slopes for the roofs. See completed castle below.

Photos of the Lego Model Built November 2024 - January 2025

Here is the view of the castle complex from the north.	The view from the NNE, featuring the nearly detached corner tower.	The view from the east, with the Main and Outer Castles in full array.	The southeast view features the historically wooded land adjacent to the Main Castle.


The cattle barn in its medieval form beginning the tour of the Outer Castle courtyard.	The Administration Building, with farm administ- rator on the right, and priest's office on the left.	The Chapel. Note that it is entered via the priest's office.	The never rebuilt soldiers' quarters, dining hall and ovens buildings.	And the very Dutch Langerak Tower with narrow chancellery.


The view of the Chapel from outside the castle.	Entering the Main Castle view the "new" bridge.	The original bridge on the east side of the Main Castle.	Cannon training outside the castle complex. Fun but noisy.	And the complex Main Castle roofs, including drains.


General Plan showing the extent of the moat.	General plan with some chronology.	Drawing of the Main Castle as it looked around 1450.	The Renaissance elevation, with enlarged windows.


The view from the south.	The southwest view with Main Castle and chapel.	And finally, the northwest view, more walled farm than military.	And the inner aspect of the Gatehouse.


North Elevation of Main Castle	East Elevation of Main Castle	South Elevation of Main Castle	West Elevation of Main Castle

Build Your Own

Lego Ground Floor Plan of Main and Outer Castles	Lego Roof Plan of Main Castle