Kasteel Cannenburch

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In the Middle Ages, a castle stood on the site of today's building; it is mentioned in 1540 as "de poll genant Kannenborch." In 1543, the Guelders marshal Maarten van Rossem, the Duke of Guelders' most important military commander, acquired the dilapidated complex and built a three-story castle on it, which he used as a hunting lodge. With its ornate projecting entrance tower topped by an onion dome and the triangular pediments above the windows, Cannenburch is regarded as one of the buildings that brought the Renaissance to Gelderland.

After Van Rossem, the castle remained in the hands of the Van Isendoorn à Blois family for generations. The fortune of Anna Margaretha van Renesse, who moved in with her husband in 1726, made renovations and lavish furnishings possible; the outbuildings on the forecourt were built around the middle of the 18th century. The family stopped living there in 1881, and the contents were dispersed. In 1906 the house passed to an owner from Berlin, whose property was confiscated as enemy assets after World War II and auctioned off; only the built-in family portraits remained.

In 1951 Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen took over the castle and opened it to visitors in 1952; a careful restoration followed from 1976 to 1981. Today it is furnished from cellar to attic as an inhabited 18th-century aristocratic home, with a kitchen, state rooms, a chapel and a luggage attic; many original pieces have returned. The park, waterways and orchard were restored between 2006 and 2010.

Highlights

• Moated castle with a Renaissance entrance tower and onion dome, built by Maarten van Rossem (from 1543)
• Furnishings of an 18th-century aristocratic home, with a kitchen full of copperware, a dining room and a hunting room
• 16th-century coconut cup and 18th-century four-poster bed
• Portrait of Anna Margaretha van Renesse with a Black servant as a testament to colonial history
• Wooded park with ponds, streams, rhododendrons, a vegetable garden and a standard-tree orchard

Founded

1952

Operated by

Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen (GLK)

Admission & discounts

Free during regular opening hours with the Museumkaart, an ICOM card or as a GLK donor; according to the event pages, also with the VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART. The vegetable garden, park, castle café and shops are accessible without a ticket.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The park and vegetable garden are easily accessible by wheelchair, rollator or mobility scooter; guided outdoor tour "Cannenburch Buitenom." Seven steps without a handrail lead to the entrance; the shop, café and start of the tour are 13 steps lower down. The rest of the castle has poor accessibility, but the main floor can be visited on request. Wheelchairs on request, folding stools available. Accessible restrooms in the Bouwhuis and in the restaurant; three accessible parking spaces about 100 m from the start of the tour. Guide and assistance dogs as well as companions free; information leaflet for visitors with hearing impairments.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Castle scavenger hunt and children's audio tour, dress-up as a knight or princess, "living paintings" in the castle and a barefoot trail in the park; seasonal scavenger hunts (e.g., a fall trail) and the smartphone game "Nature Game" in the park. Strollers and buggies are not allowed in the castle (they can be left in the Bouwhuis), but baby carriers are permitted; baby changing tables in the Bouwhuis and the castle café.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A50, exit 26 Vaassen, then follow the signs toward Vaassen.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Castle café in the vaulted cellars overlooking the moat. Restaurant "Bij Maarten in ’t Koetshuis" on the forecourt with a terrace and castle views (separately operated). Landgoedwinkel (estate shop) with regional and natural products and an information point, plus a castle shop in the vaults, both accessible without a ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

Weddings in the Ontvangsthal (up to 60 people) or chapel (15 people), also in the castle park; bridal photos in the castle. Meetings in the Parkzaal (20 people), flexible workspace in the Buurmankamer, receptions in the Ontvangsthal (outside opening hours) and Voorhuis, plus the forecourt and a fenced event meadow; catering via the restaurant. Also children's birthday parties, family days, and photo and film shoots.

Plan your visit