A neo-Gothic Cuypers rebuild at Haarzuilens with formal gardens, twenty minutes west of Utrecht.
The medieval ruin was a ruin; the Rothschild money that arrived by marriage let Pierre Cuypers rebuild it at full scale and then some, moving an entire village out of the way to make room for the park. That makes it a fake in the strict sense and a magnificent one in every other, with interiors as heavy and complete as anything in the Netherlands. The grounds and the castle carry different hours, so check which you are buying.
Highlights
- The country's biggest castle
- Cuypers interiors
- Formal park and gardens
Insider tips
- →Park and castle open at different times — the grounds from nine, the rooms from eleven.
- →Restoration work on the grounds runs through 2026; check what is fenced before you go.
FAQ
Do I need to book Kasteel de Haar ahead?
Is this a good first-time visitor choice?
Where you'll find it
Utrecht, Netherlands
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