Kasteel Doornenburg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

A fortified farmstead stood on the site of the castle as early as the early Middle Ages; a lord of Doornenburg is first mentioned in 1295. The block-shaped main castle was built in the 14th century, and in the 15th century the outer bailey with its own moat (gracht) was completed – it is considered the largest walled outer bailey in the Netherlands. As far as is known, the castle was never taken by siege, and during the Eighty Years' War it changed sides together with the States of Gelderland without a fight.

Various noble families lived in the castle over the centuries; around 1660 it received new stucco ceilings, a fireplace and larger windows. After the death of its last resident in 1847, it fell into disrepair until the textile industrialist J. H. van Heek set up a foundation in 1936 to preserve it and had it restored by 1941.

In the last winter of the war, the castle served as a German headquarters and was almost completely destroyed by British air raids in January and March 1945. The foundation rebuilt the complex between 1947 and 1968; in that same year, scenes for the TV series "Floris" starring Rutger Hauer were filmed here. The farm in the outer bailey was worked until 2015 and later converted into a shop and rooms for volunteers. Today the main castle houses a museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions, and concerts, festivals and celebrations are also held here.

Highlights

• Largest walled outer bailey in the Netherlands, with chapel, farm, inn and moat
• Knights' hall, armory and castle kitchens in the main castle
• Floriszolder (Floris attic) on the TV series "Floris", filmed here in 1968
• Exhibition "De smaak van het verleden" on food culture at the castle
• Liberation Route Europe stop on the destruction of 1945

Permanent exhibitions

• Floriszolder – Room dedicated to the TV series "Floris", which was filmed at the castle in 1968.

Operated by

Stichting tot Behoud van den Doornenburg

Admission & discounts

Same price for a self-guided visit (with audio or media tour) and a public guided tour. Free with the Museumkaart; in that case, no reservation is needed for a self-guided visit. Tickets can be reserved online; free rebooking within one year, no refunds. Separate prices apply for events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of its many stairs, the main castle with the museum is not accessible for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility. No dogs in the castle, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

Photo scavenger hunt for children; family events such as the Sprookjesfestival (fairy tale festival) during the fall school holidays (October 17–25, 2026) and Halloween. Children's birthday parties currently not available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Herberg De Doornenburg in the outer bailey with a coffee room and covered terrace (coffee, lunch, borrel/drinks; closed Mondays). Castle shop in the former farmhouse. B&B Kasteel Doornenburg with six rooms.

Events & venue rental

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

Weddings in the chapel or the inner courtyard, dinners in the knights' hall and parties in the cellar via Buitenpoort Catering; receptions and celebrations also via Herberg De Doornenburg. Rooms for professional events as well as photo and film shoots on request.

Plan your visit