Trip to the Largest Castle in the Netherlands: Kasteel de Haar

This week we visited the Kasteel de Haar (De Haar Castle) in Utrecht. This castle was first built 1391 and rebuilt in 1892. We loved our visit and will be back soon. Read more about the Castle at: en.wikipedia.o...
TandTgoDutch is a channel following the life of Tracey and Travis. Two Americans living in The Netherlands with their Minature Husky, Tabasco. We explore our new home and some places around Europe and talk about some of the successes and struggles we have gone through during the process.
A big thank you to all the people that have helped us along the way in getting here and to all of you who watch this video.
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We aim to release videos every Sunday.
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#netherlandsreaction

[@MaxFluff]

omg thank you 7:14 that man pointing is my dad. he worked there for 5 years before he unfortunately passed away last feb. thank you for the small clip of him

[@robross864]

If you want to see a magical place in The Netherlands I suggest: Efteling. It's a theme park.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yes, we have been told about Efteling, definitely on our list to visit. Thank you so much for watching!

[@Ozymandias1]

@@TAndTGoDutch Unlike most theme parks it's open at the end of the year. The Winter Efteling is very romantic (or so I'm told). Not all attractions are open then so it's also a good idea to go to it during the summer.

[@ageoflove1980]

@@TAndTGoDutch Efteling is amazing! Its by far our favorite leisure destination in the country. If you really want to treat yourself, check out the themed suites in the hotel, they sell out quickly though. The park is huge so id stay at least a night on-site to get the full experience. They also have forest holiday homes if thats more your thing. We are actually going next weekend to check out the winter theme going on right now.

[@dulciaan7]

You are very right! It is fake too!

[@koevoetje]

It is also beautiful around Christmas time...!!!

[@AudieHolland]

Spoiler: Kasteel De Haar as it appears today, was extensively rebuilt on old foundations but it really is more like a giant mansion built to look like an old castle. Actual medieval castles offered very little in comfort because they were really the medieval equivalent of modern bunkers. Thick walls, no windows on the outside, not much space inside because the walls had to be so thick to be able to withstand siege artillery. The modern Kasteel De Haar was built on old foundations in 1892.

[@bjorncallaars9073]

Never been there, but it looks like a "must-visit". Love being a tourist in my own country!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Definitely! Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you!

[@kasteeldehaarutrecht]

We're glad you've enjoyed your trip to the castle :) Lovely video!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you! We had such a lovely day exploring. We appreciate you watching!

[@wouko]

I recommend going to the castle during Elfia. It's a medieval/fantasy festival in april. In the States you call it a renessance fair, but this is bigger and holds more genres. A lot of people dressed in the most beautiful costumes.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

So fun! We've had several people mention Elfia. Thank you so much for watching!

[@arnomeesters1]

if u wanna know another hidden gem, its a fairytale village that goes by the name "GIETHOORN" this village has NO roads, only walking and cycling paths, i know u both will love it , specialy u tracy, ur welcome and enjoy folks

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Amazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and to watch our video.

[@mariadebake5483]

Been there several times. Looks like a castle in a fairytale. Beautiful inside and out. The gardens are amazing. Definitly worth a visit! You could go to Slot Loevestein. Very very different but a very old one and a very important one for the defense of the Netherlands, used for many purposes.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Completely agree! Thank you so much for your continued support of our channel, we appreciate you!

[@Ozymandias1]

Or a bit closer to where they live, the Muiderslot. I've been there a few years ago and it's very interesting to see how people lived in the Middle Ages. Slot Loevestein and the Muiderslot are actual medieval castles with a moat and a drawbridge, not a 19th century romantic fantasy like Kasteel de Haar (which is nonetheless impressive)

[@juliazoutendyk5959]

You're so right about looking up. You should go to the Delfts Blauw store, in the city centre, and look up. There is a magnificent painting on the ceiling.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

That’s a great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@susannehansler7279]

We have been there in the summer with our 2 boys. So beautiful, we had a very fun day! We had a special tour, behind the scènes , and went up the towers

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Oh wow, that's super cool! Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you!

[@ljclauson]

My daughter and I went there a few years ago during the Xmas festival. What a fantastic place. The line was too long to go inside with a 4 yr old so I’m glad your showing this to us!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you for watching Linda! It’s truly a special place to visit.

[@Taru_FinnDutch]

I love this castle! So pretty😍 been there twice and would go again any time!!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

It’s the best! Have you been there during the holidays? We missed going this past year!

[@Taru_FinnDutch]

@@TAndTGoDutch Nope, I didn't have the chance but I heard indeed they got a special winter event going on there. Hope to check it out later this year :)

[@RealConstructor]

It’s a beautiful castle, carriage house, gate, garden and church on the castle premises. But the town Haarzuilens next to it is even more quaint and beautiful. All the houses have the red and white hatches. When it’s nice weather, you can bike in the neighborhood and visit the castle, the gardens and go to the town for a lunch or a cup of coffee with apple pie. You can rent an OV-fiets at the station of Maarssen (5km away) or Utrecht Terweijde (5km away) or Breukelen (8km away). The closest station is Vleuten (3km) but they don’t have rental bikes, according to the NS website. But it is a t a walking distance. The distances are estimations of myself, it could be a little low. But you can see it at Google Maps/Earth yourself.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We stopped for a beer after our (rainy) walk. The town was absolutely quaint, right down to the bus shelter. Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate it!

[@normadesmond6017]

MAybe you should also go see Huis Doorn in the province of Utrecht. It is the little castle where the german kaiser lived when he had to get away from Germany after Hitlers NSDAP took over in Germany and he was given a refuge in the Netherlands. The beautiful thing about Huis Doorn is that you go back in time. Everything, and I mean everything is the same as when he came to live in it. I visited it a couple of years ago and tought is was fascinating.

[@Smallpotato1965]

Last time I went there... must be fifteen years ago, during the Elf Fantashy Fair (sorta Renaissance Fair), which was hugely fun.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Sounds super fun. Thank you so much for your continued support!

[@ericvenema1294]

So, back in the 1800dreds there was still some Noble class left after the French revolution as well as wealthy manufacturers. They built fairy tale castles and giant mansions. Haarzuilens castle is the best Dutch example of that. Neuschwanstein castle on the edge of the german Alps is also on of these and was the inspiration of the Disney cinderella castle. If you want to visit the real medieval castles I highly recommend ; Muiderslot castle Caste Doornenburg (the Thorneburg in english) Slot Loevestein . They are all from the 1200dreds. The summer residence of the Royal family is The Loo in Apeldoorn, which is open to public. Very beautifull and impressive.

[@larisaloredana5172]

This video was fabulos,thank you guys🥰🤗!!!!!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you!

[@Dutch1961]

A really stunning Disney-like castle is Burg Eltz between Cochem and Koblenz in Germany. You'll need a car to get there. It's a four and a half hour drive from Leiden.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Oh wow, thank you so much for the tip, and for watching. We appreciate you!

[@Mazil_5]

Well it’s not actually that old. It is built on the ruins of the old castle dating from the 12th century. The original castle was destroyed and rebuilt and extended. What you see now was rebuilt in 1892. And it’s beautiful!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yes, we knew about it being built on ruins, but still thought it was gorgeous, and that’s why we decided to share. Thank you so much for watching!

[@stijnvanderveken]

Hey if your looking for more castles that give a real fairy tale feeling I think you should consider making a trip to Germany. I think the most fairy tale like castle there is Slot Neuschwanstein. But if I'm not mistaking, Germany is littered with amazing looking castles, big and small. I love castles too and here in Belgium my personal favorite one is castle Bouillon. And this one looked amazing as well I am going to check this one out in the future for sure :)

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Sounds like a trip to Germany is in our future! Thank you so much for your continued support.

[@wimthuis4741]

It's only a castle in name, Neuschwanstein is start building in September 1869 so it's a new castle and not from the early or late medieval age. Beside that it is a beautiful castle.

[@EMGoudsmit]

I live near Hampton Court Palace, London, where they also have a maze. Have lost my way plenty of times. Anyway, interesting place I never knew about.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for your continued support Ellen! We are (hopefully) headed to London for Christmas this year, and are so looking forward to it.

[@jacobmannessen1191]

If you go to Heemskerk just above Haarlem you can sleep in a casstle. Slot Assumburg is a youthhostel. It is ne expensive and fun to do.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

That’s very cool, thank you so much for the suggestion, and for watching!!

[@sanderdeboer6034]

Not sure if I already suggested it, but the royal palace in Amsterdam (former city hall) on Dam square is a great place to visit. Not a fairytale castle like de Haar but beautiful with a lot of history. At the time it was called the 8th wonder of the world, and it was build at the height of the golden age.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Oh that sounds lovely! Thank you for the suggestion!

[@GenJouh]

I go on my race bike there frequently. Lovely area to cycle 😁

[@TAndTGoDutch]

What a scenic place to cycle! Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you!

[@ArveyNL]

If you like castles be also sure to visit the Muiderslot castle (in Muiden near Amsterdam) and Loevestein Castle in Poederoijen near Gorinchem. Less romantic than De Haar but more authentic medieval.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Excellent, thank you so much for the suggestions and for watching!

[@bertkassing8541]

Man, man, man, it's been a really long time since I've ever been there with my dad. I thought it was a beautiful castle, but it didn't feel medieval like the Muiderslot did.

[@mariadebake5483]

It isn't medieval, dates from the 18th or even 19th century

[@Ozymandias1]

@@mariadebake5483 20th century even. It was opened in 1912.

[@bertkassing8541]

@@mariadebake5483 Ik weet het. Daarom miste ik ook het gevoel.

[@mariadebake5483]

@@bertkassing8541 Ja ik heb dat ook niet bij dit kasteel. Het is mooi maar "niet echt".

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Muiderslot is absolutely on our list to visit. Thank you so much for your continued support!

[@johnalexander8682]

And try to visit the Vredespaleis in The Hague!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Great suggestion! Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you!

[@jeroenheijdemann6265]

Kasteel Duivenvoorde is near by Leiden (Voorschoten) has a beatiful park and a nice smaller castle.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Adding to our list! Thank you so much for watching!

[@hcjkruse]

In the Province of Gelderland you can follow a castle route. (Gelderse kastelen route). Will keep you busy for a while if you cycle it or go by car. I cannot recommend public transport here, that will take ages. Also the castle of Bad Bentheim just across the border in Germany is nice.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

How lovely! Thank you so much for your suggestions and for watching!

[@jancreutz354]

If you're into castles, another worth seeing is the Muiderslot, not as opulent, but quite original and really old(I believe it was built in 1200-1300) Maybe for another day out!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Just looked it up, looks super beautiful. Definitely adding to our list. Thank you so much for watching.

[@freudsigmund72]

When you have about a week of travel available, i would advise to go to the Loire Valley in France and visit at the very least Chambord and my favourite castle Chenonceau

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We’re definitely hoping to get to France sometime soon. Thank you so much for sharing and for your continued support!

[@Yochemm]

You 2 have to go to the Efteling. Castles, details and lot to explore.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yes! It's on our (very) long list of places to visit. Thank you so much for the suggestion, and for watching.

[@AudieHolland]

A true medieval castle is the one like in Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein Vaduz Castle And of course Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, France.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thanks for the suggestions, we appreciate you watching!

[@Dutchbelg3]

Kasteel Haarzuilens is a very pretty place ! Been there a few times as I used to live halfway the track Leiden - Haarzuilens :-) I actually visited The Netherlands today! Family visit 25 km from Leiden :) One day when the restrictions are over we will meet and I will take you guys on a day trip.. hard by public transport but no worries.. I will take care of you in style :-)

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We hope you had a nice trip! Very much looking forward to visiting once restrictions are over. Thank you so much for your continued support of our channel. :)

[@Dutchbelg3]

@@TAndTGoDutch : Great :-)

[@RichardRenes]

If all goes well, I will be there in April, during Elfia :) It will be a bit more crowded then ;) The castle has a 14th century base but is essentially a late 19th century castle ;) It even has central heating (which the royal palace 'Het Loo' didn't have at the time). The money for all this came from one particular lady from the Rothschild family. Other castles you may want to check out are Arcen and it's gardens, Keukenhof castle, Muiderslot, Slot Loevestein, paleis Het Loo and paleis Soestdijk

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. Travis was just reading about Elfia. We appreciate your continued support of our channel!

[@Ron-id1ze]

Its a new castle , only about 120 yo

[@70ed81]

Very Nice! :)

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for watching! We appreciate you!

[@70ed81]

No Thank you @@TAndTGoDutch :)......Great Episode,....thumbs up.

[@ZeNN-Music]

You are ready to visit Efteling now.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We sure are. Thank you for watching.

[@alungibbon9146]

Have you not gotten any bicycles? I haven't seen you on the Dutch favoured form of transportation.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We have one bicycle right now, but with both of us currently working from home, we've decided to wait on purchasing the other. It's nice we have the option to rent if we need it though. Thank you so much for watching!

[@ImogenValkyrie]

My friend got married at that castle. And you know what….the family who owned it is still alive

[@TAndTGoDutch]

What a beautiful venue to get married at, I bet it was lovely. Thank you so much for watching!

[@Vanoux2007]

This castle wasn’t built for defence purposes. Buy the time it was built many modern amenities were already put in. That’s why there are so many bathrooms and visitors had a comfortable stay. This in contrast to the medieval castles. So actually this is more of a palace. But who cares, your fun day out is what counts here.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Definitely! We are very much looking forward to seeing more historic castles, but this castle particularly interested us due to its size. Thank you so much for watching, we really appreciate it!

[@jackvandersluis1723]

Hi T & T, nice vlog, I am Dutch, never been there! Thanks for the info! 👍

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Absolutely! We appreciate you continuing to watch our journey!

[@frankc5560]

Hi you guys, I am planning a trip to Amsterdam in May, I need some help please, by the way, I live in Ottawa Canada and I have been to the 1000 island castle with my kids..

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Hi Frank! What do you need help with?

[@frankc5560]

@@TAndTGoDutch I need help with cheap hotels/ motels/ cheap restaurants and transportation advice from the airport and around Amsterdam, I want to see the Kasteel de Haar please and thanks so much for replying.

[@inekechroom560]

You have to visit Jachtslot Sint Hubertus town called Hoenderloo also at the same grounds the Kroller Muller museum very beautyful and bizarr architecture. And kasteel de Haar was owned of one of the members of the Rothschilds family.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We’ll add to our list, thanks for the information! We appreciate you watching.

[@palantir135]

This is a very ‘recent’ castle build to show of, not for defense. There are much older castles like Loevestein. Germany has much more castles. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWnZga15jciqn7M. These are castles in the Eifel which is not that far from the Netherlands.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Oh, thank you so much for the suggestions! Hopefully post-lockdown we can travel to see them. We appreciate you watching!

[@palantir135]

@@TAndTGoDutch burg Eltz is a must see.

[@dulciaan7]

I am very sorry but it is in my opinion not a real castle. It is built by Cuypers on the ruins of a real castle. Hé has destroyed many old buildings in the Netherlands. I think you should compare it with the castle in disneyland! Jos Kok Groningen

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thanks for the information, we knew it was built on ruins. Looking forward to visiting some more authentic castles in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@dulciaan7]

Hi! I am not very fond of the neo architecture of Pierre Cuypers. I live in Groningen where we only have very small castles called "borgen" There were more then a honderd but only about 20 or even less left I have not seen many of your KZbin Items. .I don't drive, I do everything by train. I used to go many times to Poland and Ukraine. Lviv is a wonderful city. I have not visited many castles in Holland because they are very seldom along the railtrack. I go very often to Deventer and Zutphen My favourite city is Amerfoort. Groningen is unfortunately partly destroyed in second word war and full of ugly sixties buildings but has a wonderful Schnitger organ in St Martin. I wish you a very good time! Jos Kok (I am a pensioner)

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Poland and Ukraine are definitely places we'd love to visit. Amersfoort looks lovely! Thank you so much for your kind words and all of the information, we appreciate you.

[@shuenlovespaddies]

We live so near by (in Utrecht) for 5 years and even Ron had not known how remarkable it looks inside! We’re definitely paying a visit one day! Thank you for sharing your adventures! 🤗

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for watching! We appreciate you so much!

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Its sad that 2 of the more iconic castles are well one is a ruine and one is a poorly exploited castle . One The Ruine of Brederode. Both with significant history . of the province of holland . ( north and south ) kasteel radboud medemblik - Bing images Ruine an brederode - Bing images

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for sharing, we will definitely check those out. We appreciate you watching!

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Surely you know that the castle is fake? It was built in the 19th century.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We know it was built over ruins, actually. We just thought it was beautiful, and had a great visit, and that’s why we filmed it. We have some other more historic castles on our list to visit soon. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jiskamemelink]

Never been there but now I want to go! It seems really well preserved!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

It is absolutely gorgeous! Definitely worth the trip. Thank you so much for your continued support of our channel.

[@Mazil_5]

Well it’s not actually that old. It is built on the ruins of the old castle dating from the 12th century. The original castle was destroyed and rebuilt and extended. What you see now was rebuilt in 1892.

[@ioniq5125]

It is a stunning castle indeed. It is so much fun to see you enjoying my country to the full. I'm glued to the screen and see things that I haven't seen myself! Close to where I live (Arnhem) there is Kasteel Doorwerth (13th century) , also a beautiful castle along the river Nederrijn. Go there when the trees are green and the sun is shining. You can sit in the grass along the castle canal ("slotgracht") for hours, it never gets old.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

We will have to add that castle to our list! We adore visiting them. Thank you so much for watching, we appreciate you!

[@frankgeurts3912]

Haarzuilens not far from where i live,when at school they take trips there history packed place

[@TAndTGoDutch]

So neat! Adding to our list. Thank you so much for watching!

[@nfboogaard]

I've been there three times, every time you learn something new. The grounds are beautiful in summertime, so definitely visit then! And yes bring friends :)

[@TAndTGoDutch]

I could totally see learning something new on every visit. Thank you so much for watching and for your continued support of our channel!

[@paulwieman8951]

This castle is built on the ruins of an older castle…….the first castle with a central heating system…..

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Super interesting, we knew about it being built on the ruins, but not about the central heating system. Thank you so much for sharing with us and for watching.