A Day at De Haar

Once upon a time there was a girl named Josine de Haar whose father’s family owned a castle. It was built in the 12th century but there was evidence that buildings existed much earlier. She was the only child, and after her parents died the castle and land surrounding belonging to it came to her. She fell in love and married, in 1480, a handsome swashbuckling man named van Zuylen and thus the families were joined. The land and castle are rich with history and today we visited De Haar. Eventually, one of the descendants married a Rothschild and all that money helped. Today the castle and the grounds are open to the public. The last direct male descendant died in 1970 leaving 5 daughters who all live in Europe but none in the Netherlands. A foundation was formed before their father’s death and operates in some ways like Britain’s National Trust. There were very happy days at this castle, as the established and ancient tradition was that friends and family would gather from afar every September to enjoy the hospitality of the van Zuylens. The guest list was impressive and it was considered a high honour to be invited and placed near the host and hostess at the dinner table. In the 1800’s a massive renovation was undertaken headed by the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. He had a vision for the entire castle which he executed using all his skill and craftsmen in his employ to execute. Except for one location within. That was the suite of the Baroness. She disliked his heavy gothic style and barred him from decorating her boudoir. It is light and airy and bright with painted finishes versus carved and dark woods. Apparently, there was a famous disagreement but after all, she was paying the bill!

Below are some snaps of De Haar Kasteel and surrounding parkland. The flower beds are rumoured to be magnificent in summer, planted very much in the Dutch style of annuals but March is a bit too soon.

A Portion of the Extensive Waterways within the Grounds

Entry Gates and Watchtower. The red and white designs have specific meaning

The Red and white patterns seen on the exterior of the castle are geometric depictions of family Coat of Arms The De Haar and van Zuylen families had differing Coats of Arms with red on white or vice versa. These geometric designs are a tradition throughout the Netherlands and are seen on many buildings that are built upon land from an ancestral estate. This reveals to whom the land once belonged

 

Entry to the stableyard, the home of estate horses

The three major buildings: Primary residence, Secondary on the left and the chapel on right. 

Masses of Snowdrops

Turrets, geometric designs and chimneys

Rose Arbour with leaves popping out now. 

All Surrounded by a Moat

Stunning Reflecting Pond

Reflecting Man

Roughly 500 Metres plus

Moat Surrounding Chapel

Excellent Guard but his Teeth a Bit Odd for a Lion

Keeping Cellars Dry a Challenge

Turrets on a Blue Bird Day

Gryffons on Guard as well. 

View from Main Entry Bridge

Chapel also designed and built by Cuyper

Family Lineage

Stylized Designs reminiscent of William Morris

Would you Believe all Handpainted Tiles?

Once the open Courtyard it was Roofed by Cuyper

Floor in Roofed Courtyard  where all Mosaic tiles depict Different Creatures

The Labour to Complete  this Foor is Difficult to Imagine

Decorative Details that Caught my Eyes

More Mosaics

Cuyper designed even the Dinnerware and Silverware

The True Castle Treasures

Only five of these immense Flemish tapestries exist. Three of them hang in De Haar. 

Walls in each  premier room are covered with Cuyper designed Fabric

Chandelier over the dining table, solid brass and extremely heavy

Rare Japanese Porcelain"knights" 

In the immense Library only one bookcase! van Zuylens not big readers!

Wonderful Embossed Velvet  Fabric that lines the walls of the Salon at least .50mm thick

Silver Chandeliers weighing 482kg apiece required a reinforced coffered ceiling

Profile on Furniture piece

Knights in Armour in Glass

Second Tapestry: The Ascension

Third Tapestry: The Expulsion from Eden

Exquisite and Ornate Ceiling Details 

Handcarved and Painted

Sightseers in the Mirror

Difficult to Dust Details!

Baroness Suite all Pink and Brocade

Pink and Gold

Light and Bright...the Baroness Won

Her Large and Sumptuous Bathroom

View to the Grounds 

Steep Servants Stairway

Scullery Sink...many Dishes washed here!

Kitchen range is massive

Generally 27 Staff Worked here 

Range and Kitchenware all French. Soup Pots weigh 40 kg

Bain Marie to keep sauces warm

Every Beautiful Copper Pot from DeHilleren in Paris

Even the Kitchen was Decorated with Handpainted Tiles. This the van Zuylen Coat of Arms

De Haar and van Zuylen in Tile motif

Garden Design and Shapes mimic the architecture

Loved the Bench Design

A Lovely Day

In a Beautiful and Historic Place

The website for those of you who would like to know more:

De Haar