A walk in the castle garden

A walk in the gardens of the Haarzuilens castle is always nice. The castle gardens are open for public in exchange of a small fee. It's very well kept.

Haarzuilens Town

Wash those windows.....girl?

Crafty bus stop

There is one bus stop in Haarzuilens, and I think it is one of the most crafty I have ever seen. Made of wood and delicately painted.
Lois noticed the red white stripes on the houses. All or most of the houses in about a mile surrounding of Haarzuilens have the red and white colours on their window shutters etc. This indicates the house is property of the baron.

Haarzuilens is one of the last estates owned by a (lower) royalty. Each year the city council is summoned to the castle to justify their policy of the past year. The Socialist party hates it and complains every year, never the less.... .

The day I took the pictures it was very sunny but also hazy. There is a lot of water everywhere, depending on the combination of weather types the days before a sunny day can be covered with a hazy look, making that you walk in a dream because the sharp edges don't show.

Haarzuilens Town

This is the bakery called 'In the blessed bread'...

Haarzuilens Town

Originally there was a small village located close around to the ruins of the castle. It was just a little village existing of a collection of farms. The castle needed a more representative village. So everybody was re-located to a new tasty little town at the start of the entry lawn.
Haarzuilens town is a tiny village about 30/35 houses, it follows a style which I can’t name but it is very nice. I will post some pictures the coming days.

Last photo of Haarzuilens

This is a picture of the church which is on the castle estate. Inside are the graves of the several castle lords. I have been inside ones when I was small. But now adays it's always closed.
The church follows the regular local church design. But when you stand in front of it, you notice, that though it follows the standard design. The church is actualy a bit smaller then usual. I almost hit my head at the entrance.
It's main function is to make the castle look bigger...



It does have this effect on the castle. An interesting historic detail is that the castle was confiscated by the Nazi's in WWII. The idea was to give it as a present to Hitler. It was delayed due to the presence of Jewish symbols in the architecture (the Rothshields were the main contributors), but in the end the idea was aborted because in the progress of the war Holland was considered hostile to Nazi ideology.

So that was it on castle Haarzuilens. Tomorrow pictures on the village Haarzuilens.

Castle Haarzuilens

I am not finished yet with castle Haarzuilens, another picture of the garden. I wish I could 'enter' the picture and take a stroll!

Elf fantasy fair

I have been googling pictures of Haarzuilens; most pictures I find are from the Elf Fantasy Fair. The castle is the yearly location of this event. Which is in my perception a ridiculous event. A few days of the year the town is flocked with elfins, hobbits, devils, Goths and whatever fantasy figures. I was ones at the train station when the fair just ended, so the station was full with this creatures, harmless really, but I can't help feeling a bit commiserate. Then a train load of football supporters arrived…….. They made such a fool of the dressed up people it was hilarious.

Griffins

At the entrance of the castle itself are two big griffins. Fascenating creature, it is also a local surname, but there is no relations with these griffins. This is actually an old photo, they have been cleaned lately.

Part of the garden

I am sure this type of garden has a name. But I don't know how it is called. Together with a photo taken from the air.


(unfortunately I didn't made this photo)

For your guests

Another shot of the guest house. It is for invited guests only.....

Arms

In some corner of the castle garden is a stone with the Haarzuilen arms and a French text. I had to learn French (and English and German) at high school. I think it says:

This rose garden is created as a memory of our son Helin.
That these roses may stay
Every time when they bloom
Our love for him/ them? There I lose it… his death.

I think it talks about the owners son or daughter who died in WWI I suppose.

Castle Haarzuilens

Around the castle is a park you can wonder around, for hours. It is also a location often used for wedding pictures. This is a view on the east-side. The part in the left of the picture are the guest housings.

Entrance Gate

I should start with the entrance to the castle. I remember that when I was young that the castle garden was always open for free. Now a days when the owners are not at home the gardens and castle are run commercially.

The family comes over from France one month a year. Then the castle is closed. They say it's a real happening; the baron comes with all his staff which includes about 8 chefs, so they told me.

The wapon of Haarzuylens is everywhere displayed over the place and the towns around it. I could find only one picture of it however.

Castle Haarzuilens

The castle of Haarzuilens is very close to Woerden and a place where you take friends from abroad to. It is a beautiful castle. Old and young, it originated in 1300, but by the end of 1800 is was a ruin. The young baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt rebuild his ancestors castle in 1895. Partly by original design, partly by romantic ideas. He was married to a Rothschild so he had the means to make it a prestigious project. It is still property of this family.

I will post some pictures of the castle in the coming days.