Slot Zuylen, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Slot Zuylen is a castle at the village of Oud-Zuylen just north of Utrecht. There was a stone building at this city as early as 1250, which is very early for this 'swampy' region. This simple donjon was completely demolished in 1422. In 1510 rebuilding started and until the mid-18th century, the castle looked like this picture.
In 1752 the castle was intensively remodeled into the then fashionable French style. It was given a U shape and a new left wing was therefore build. For symmetry, windows were needed in both wings. However, the older right wing had very thick walls so windows were instead painted on! It's very well done and ofcourse the ivy all camouflages it a bit, but I didn't see it until the guide told me what to look for! (it's the middle pair of windows in this picture, only the top two are fake, the lowest window is a real one)
The most famous resident of the castle was Belle van Zuylen, also known by her married name Madame De Charriere. This 18th century woman was way ahead of her time. She studied mathematics at Utrecht University for two years, corresponded with many intellectuals of her time and wrote multiple books in which she set out her thoughts about religion, nobility and the upbringing of women.
Belle van Zuylen/Isabella Agneta Elisabeth van Tuyll van Serooskerken as painted in 1777.
This is the writing room of Belle.
A linen cabinet. Some of the pieces are over 200 years old (obviously not used regularly then)
An 1840's wedding dress.
The oldest piece of art in the castle, an altarpiece of 1490. It was made for a marriage of a son of the family. It depicts the raising of Lazarus in the middle panel and the bride and groom with their patron saints signing the marriage register in the side panels. It was originally rectangular, but because of water damage on the top it was modified to the current form during restoration works.
A little tower room, attached to the kitchen. It was used for the maids to take their breaks.
The dining room with portraits of members of the Van Tuyll-Van Serooskerken family. Some portraits were actually painted centuries after the people depicted had died, because a 18th century baron thought it would be nice to have some family history in the dining room!
Personally I really love this serving cabinet.
A really stunning tapestry from 1640. It's in such amazing condition, the colours are still so vivid. And if you think about how long it must have taken to make this... apparently, one weaver could make a piece of 7 by 7 cm a day! (The tapestry is much bigger, it goes around all the room, but I don't have pictures of that)
There was a pair of storks nestling on one of the chimneys!
The 18the century serpentine wall made (and still makes) it possible to grow fruits such as peaches and apricots in the Dutch climate.
The nice landscape framed in the castle's entrancegate shows a mill and black and white cows. Does it get any more Dutch? ;-P