MORE Ruurlo

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Ruurlo Castle dates back to the 14th century; its first residents are said to have been the lords of Roderlo, from whom the village's name is also thought to derive. Shortly after 1400 the estate passed to Jacob van Heeckeren, and the Van Heeckeren family held the castle for more than five centuries. Its present appearance dates mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries, but the original floor plan has largely been preserved. Among its more curious guests in 1736 was the adventurer Theodor von Neuhoff, who had briefly been King of Corsica.

In the late 20th century the castle served as the town hall of the municipality of Ruurlo, but lost this function with the municipal merger of 2005. In 2013 the entrepreneur and collector Hans Melchers acquired the estate and had it extensively restored; the architect Hans van Heeswijk converted it into a museum and designed the striking access bridge. The ensemble has been protected as a Rijksmonument (national heritage site) since 2010.

In June 2017 the castle opened as the second location of the private Museum MORE, founded in Gorssel in 2015 for modern realism. At first the building was devoted exclusively to the work of Carel Willink (1900–1983), a leading exponent of Dutch Magic Realism. Today MORE Ruurlo shows two exhibitions of contemporary realist art each year alongside the rotating presentation of its Willink collection. The English landscape garden with a hedge maze contains the orangery from 1879, which is now used as a restaurant.

Highlights

• Extensive collection of Carel Willink, including “Zelfportret met schedel” (1936) and “Zebra’s in rood rotslandschap” (1958)
• Castle with visible building history spanning five centuries and a Rococo ceiling from 1750 in the wedding hall
• Access bridge by the architect Hans van Heeswijk
• English landscape garden with hedge maze and Oranjerie
• Creative space “Sophia’s Atelier” for children and families

Permanent exhibitions

• Carel Willink collectie – Rotating presentation from the museum's large Willink collection, from early Expressionist attempts to the enigmatic, technically flawless paintings with ruins, statues, and menacing skies.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Stichting Museum MORE (privates Museum für modernen Realismus mit drei Standorten)

Director

Maite van Dijk (algemeen directeur Museum MORE)

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart (original card or code in the Museumkaart app only), VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, ICOM pass, and for MORE (Young) Members. Media tour included in admission. Payment by debit or credit card only, no cash. MORE Gorssel and MORE Twickel have separate tickets.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Elevator for wheelchairs, rollators, and strollers; wheelchair-accessible restroom with grab bars on the first floor; staff help with opening doors. One wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge (reserve up to three days in advance). Several accessible parking spaces in the parking lot next to the museum. Assistance dogs in harness welcome without prior registration; other animals not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Children through age 11 free. Search games and a Kijkwijzer (viewing guide) for various age groups are available under the large staircase. In “Sophia’s Atelier” there are painting, crafting, and search activities related to the exhibitions, and coloring books and building blocks for younger children. Additional activities and half-hour family tours during school holidays.

Getting there & parking

By car from the Arnhem direction via the A12/A18 and N319, from the Enschede direction via the N18 and N319, from the Apeldoorn direction via Zutphen and Vorden (N319); in Ruurlo follow the signs for Kasteel Ruurlo/MORE Ruurlo.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Koffiecorner (coffee corner) in the museum (coffee and tea from De Pelikaan) in the same room as the museum shop. Restaurant Oranjerie Ruurlo in the orangery in the castle park (Tue–Sun from 11:00, open to all, lunch and high tea by reservation). Free cloakroom and lockers; free Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 350 guests.

Kasteelzaal, Torenkamer, Van Heeckeren kamer, Sophia’s atelier, and the Oranjerie for meetings, receptions, and company parties (4 to 350 people, seven days a week), with a museum visit or guided tour on request. Official wedding venue of the municipality of Berkelland: wedding hall for up to 80 guests, bridal suite in the castle; celebrations through Oranjerie Ruurlo. Also family days and photo shoots.

Plan your visit