Travel Tips: Nijenrode Castle en route to Maarssen

Although not for public viewing, if on a day trip en route to Maarssen one can drive past Nijenrode Castle which was built around 1260 by Knight Gerard Splinter van Ruwiel. Now a famous business university location on rather secret grounds, the only way to view its exterior is to park somewhere along the river and walk. The Castle's strategic spot on the narrowest part of  riverbank Vecht was part of the trade route from the market-town of Utrecht to the Dutch South Sea.

This building would probably have housed the soldiers and horses serving as the military barracks. 

                                                        A mighty royal entrance from the road 

The Castle was destroyed in 1481 and in 1511. In the 17th century, Bernard van den Bongard III turned the castle into a splendid manor house with a castle-like form and a drawbridge. It was given modernised typical characteristics of a knightly mansion in the Dutch Renaissance style. Even on a cloudy day it's towers and atmosphere are quite impressive!