Castle near Voorschoten with eight centuries of family history, original interiors, the Marotzaal, and a landscape park – celebrating its anniversary year in 2026.
fra 16. april 2026
Anniversary exhibition in eight sections with an introductory film, loans from family collections, the donjon wall in the cellar, and new works by Bouke de Vries, Josua Wechsler, and Sophie Steengracht; end date not specified.
Duivenvoorde is first mentioned in 1226 as “Duvenvoirt.” At the time, a simple square residential tower, a donjon, stood here; remains of its walls survive in the cellar to this day. The estate always passed down by inheritance and was never sold – first owned by the Van Wassenaer family, later by the Steengracht and Schimmelpenninck van der Oye families.
The castle got its current appearance in 1631 under Johan van Wassenaer. In 1717 the south wing was brought into line with the north wing and the Marotzaal was created: a grand hall in the style of Louis XIV, probably designed by Daniel Marot, with life-size portraits of the generations of owners. In the mid-19th century, Jan David Zocher Jr. replaced the French Baroque garden with an English landscape park, which the foundation has had restored since 2007 to plans by Michael van Gessel.
In 1960 the last owner, Baroness Ludolphine Henriette Schimmelpenninck van der Oye, transferred the castle and its contents to a foundation. After a restoration by architect Elias Canneman, who largely returned the building to its 1631 and 1717 state, the museum opened in 1963. On display is the family collection built up over generations, with more than 150 portraits, furniture, porcelain, silver, and costumes, in rooms such as the Blue Guest Chamber and the Turkish Room. The estate of around 260 hectares includes 22 listed buildings; in 2026, Duivenvoorde is celebrating its 800th anniversary with an anniversary exhibition.
| Voksne | 16,50 € |
|---|---|
| Børn og unge | 8,25 €gratis til og med 4 år · Up to and including age 4 free, ages 5 to 17 €8.25; on guided tours, children up to age 6 free, ages 7 to 17 €8.25. |
| Pensionister | –No senior discount listed. |
| Studerende og elever | –No student discount listed. |
| Grupper (fra 10 pers.) | –Groups of more than 10 people should register in advance by email; exclusive group tours (also outside opening hours) at the price of regular tour tickets, discount cards not valid. |
| Guided tour (adults) | 16,50 €Fixed start times (e.g., 11:30 and 14:30); children ages 7–17 €8.25; with the Museumkaart, ICOM card, or Vriendenpas €13.50, with the Rembrandtkaart €5. |
| Wandelticket (park walking ticket) | 1,50 €Park only; included in the museum ticket. |
| Parking (per day) | 5 €Free for Vrienden van Duivenvoorde. |
Museum ticket includes the audio tour and the park, valid all day. Free with the Museumkaart, as well as with the Rembrandtkaart, ICOM card, and Vriendenpas (surcharge for guided tours); a Museumkaart cannot be purchased on site. Tickets online or at the ticket desk in the estate shop, card payment only. Reduced rate on Open Monumentendag (Heritage Day).
In the castle, only the rooms on the first floor (Voorhuis, Great Dining Room, Marotzaal) are accessible to wheelchair users; otherwise there are many stairs. No accessible restroom in the castle, but there is one in Restaurant Paviljoen Duivenvoorde. The park has paved, wheelchair-accessible paths. Guide dogs and certified assistance dogs are allowed; other dogs are not permitted on the estate.
Velegnet til børn og familier
| Entré for børn | gratis til og med 4 år |
|---|
Family audio tour for children ages 6 and up; for guided tours the museum recommends a minimum age of 7. Strollers and buggies are not allowed in the castle because of narrow passageways and stairs. During the anniversary year, children’s theater “Het Spook van Annabel” (ages 4–10), natural play equipment in the Leidsche Tuin by the Paviljoen, and an adventure trail for children (“800-stappenpad”) in the park; Sinterklaas performances in November.
Kniplaan
Bus 45 (Den Haag CS – Leiden CS) and 46 (Den Haag CS – Voorschoten Centrum) to the Kniplaan stop in Voorschoten, right at the entrance to the estate.
Betalingsparkering
Castle parking lot at the end of the driveway on the right, €5 per day (online, via QR code, or at the machine by the bridge to the park). Free bicycle parking in the parking lot.
Cycling is not allowed on the estate; Donkey Republic rental bikes can be left in the bicycle parking area during opening hours.
Planlæg ruteRestaurant Paviljoen Duivenvoorde by the park (also picnic baskets for the Leidsche Tuin). Castle and estate shop in the Groene Salon with products from the estate. Open coat rack; bags larger than A4 and backpacks must be checked at reception – the FAQ mentions a few lockers in one place and none in another. Card payment only.
14 indoor and outdoor spaces for conferences, receptions, dinners, and corporate events, which can be combined with a museum visit; official wedding venue (including the Marotzaal), bridal photos on the estate. More than 120 private parking spaces (expandable to 300). Inquiries via sales@kasteelduivenvoorde.nl.
Forespørgsel & detaljer| Rundvisninger | ja |
|---|---|
| Audioguide | ja |
| Godt at vide | Visit on your own with an audio tour on your smartphone (family audio tour also available) or on a guided tour at fixed times; for guided tours, the time on the ticket is the start time. Large bags, backpacks, and, when it rains, wet jackets must be checked. |
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