elcome to Castles.nl!

This is a personal, non-commercial website launched in November 1999 by an individual enthusiast. It began with descriptions of seven Dutch castles and has since expanded to feature over 2,000 castles, towers, and other fortifications across Europe and beyond. The site is regularly updated with new additions.

As a personal project, the site focuses on structures personally visited by the creator during holidays and spare time. The definition of a castle used here includes structures with realistic defensive features built between approximately 800 AD and 1600 AD. Additional fortifications or buildings that don't strictly meet this definition are also included based on personal interest.

The website is like a gazetteer offering concise histories of the featured castles, sprinkled with personal observations, accompanied by photos (since 2021 often also drone photos) and sometimes also older images, to provide a complete picture of the castle in question. Castles.nl thus hopes to provide a valuable resource for enthusiasts interested in castles, fortifications, and history in general.

While the website offers a vast collection of information and images, it's important to note that it is managed by a single individual and is not connected to any of the castles featured. For specific inquiries about bookings, opening times, or entry fees, visitors are advised to contact the official sites of the respective castles.

Enjoy your visit!