Kasteel Duurstede

Kasteel Duurstede is a ruined medieval castle in Wijk bij Duurstede, a small town on the Lek river in the province of Utrecht, and it is one of the older castles in the Netherlands. It stands on a castle island surrounded by moat and trees, a short walk from the town centre, and its tall brick tower is the most recognisable part of what remains. The place has a long history, and it sits near the site of a much older settlement, which adds to its interest.

That older settlement was Dorestad, a major trading town of the early Middle Ages that lay on the Rhine nearby, in what is now the area of Wijk bij Duurstede. In the eighth and ninth centuries, Dorestad was one of the most important trading ports in northern Europe, with a large international community of merchants, and its prosperity attracted Viking raids in the ninth century. The town declined as the river changed its course, and the later town of Wijk bij Duurstede grew up beside it. The name Duurstede recalls the earlier settlement.

The castle began in the thirteenth century. Around 1270, Zweder I van Zuylen van Abcoude built a free-standing keep on a raised, moated site, and his family held it until 1449, when it was sold to the Bishops of Utrecht. Bishop David of Burgundy, who ruled from 1459 to 1496, rebuilt the castle on a grand scale, enclosing the old keep with new buildings and adding the tall Burgundian tower, which survives intact, and later bishops added Renaissance features. The castle was a residence of the bishops, and it was fought over in later conflicts and fell into ruin after the seventeenth century. Today the exterior and grounds can be explored, and the thick walls and the tower give a sense of the scale of the building.

The setting is attractive. The castle island is green and peaceful, with water on all sides, and the walk around it takes only a short time. The town is pleasant to explore, with a village centre, the Lek river promenade, a windmill called Rijn en Lek, historic farmhouses and the Sint-Pancratiuskerk. Boating on the Lek river is popular in summer, and the river dikes are good for cycling.

The castle suits history lovers, photographers and families looking for a gentle outing. Access to the interior may be limited, so check before going. A visit takes about an hour, and it combines well with a walk along the river.