Slot Loevestein
Medieval moated castle and fortress on the Waal, known as a state prison, from which Hugo de Groot escaped in a book chest.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Around 1360 the knight Dirc Loef van Horne had a castle built at the confluence of the Waal and the Maas, meant to be far more than a simple blockhouse. To finance his ambitious plans, he levied an unlawful river toll on the Waal, one of the busiest waterways in Europe. In 1572 the Geuzen (Dutch rebels) finally conquered the castle, and it remained in state hands. William of Orange had it reinforced; ramparts and a moat were built around it, and the soldiers in the fortress first lived in wooden barracks and later in stone huts. The bare castle served as a state prison.
The most famous episode is the escape of the jurist Hugo de Groot, who was imprisoned here and got out in 1621 in a book chest. Less well known, but more consequential, is his work on the law of war and peace of 1625, which is regarded as a foundation of international law. Later, Loevestein became part of the Hollandse Waterlinie (Dutch Water Line), a defensive line that flooded wide stretches of land and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Loevestein is a comparatively young museum: it was created in 1994 through the separation of the state museums. It tells of the Middle Ages, of the time as a state prison and of the Water Line. Around 6,000 pieces of the collection come from the museum's own archaeological excavations; some of them are shown in the permanent exhibition "Opgegraven" in the soldiers' huts of the fortress. The museum has been named a "Kidsproof Museum" by children several times.
Highlights
- Medieval moated castle with fortress ramparts in the Munnikenland nature area
- History of the state prison and Hugo de Groot's escape
- Permanent exhibition "Opgegraven" with archaeological finds in the soldiers' huts
- Dutch Water Line as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Arrival by ferry via Gorinchem and Woudrichem possible
- Honored several times as a "Kidsproof Museum" by children
Permanent exhibitions
- Opgegraven – Archaeological finds from the museum's own excavations tell, in the soldiers' huts of the fortress, of everyday life at Loevestein.
- Schloss und Festung Loevestein – Walk through the castle covering the Middle Ages, the state prison with Hugo de Groot, and the Dutch Water Line.
- Founded
- 1994
- Operated by
- Stichting Rijksmuseum Slot Loevestein
- Director
- Jenny Doest
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €18 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €12.50free up to age 3 · Children from 4 to 12 years pay €12.50; visitors aged 13 and up pay the adult price; children up to 3 years are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €12.50Wheelchair rate €12.50, with access to the fortress, the Taveerne and the permanent exhibition "Opgegraven"; the castle is not accessible for electric wheelchairs and scooters. |
| Students & apprentices | –With the CJP Cultuurkaart (via app), €1.50 reduction. |
| Groups | –For groups of more than 10 people, online tickets are recommended in advance. |
| Vestingpas annual pass, adult | €35Free admission for one year. |
| Vestingpas annual pass, child (4 to 18 years) | €25Free admission for one year. |
Prices 2026. Free with Museumkaart, Vestingpas, Vriendenloterij-VIP-Pas and ICOM-Pas; 20% discount with the Veteranenpas. The Museumkaart is available on site. Payment by card, and also cash at the reception.
Accessibility
- Partially 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
A wheelchair-suitable bridge with a lift platform (100 x 80 cm, only accompanied by staff) leads to the first floor of the castle; the upper two floors are not barrier-free. The fortress and the exhibition in the soldiers' huts are accessible, and several accessible restrooms are available. In the castle there are steep wall stairs with uneven steps, mostly without a handrail. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed; pets are not (dogs only on the terrace).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children can explore the fortress with a tracking booklet, practice musket shooting, "mix" gunpowder and escape from the book chest; there is also a playground, a climbing course and children's birthday parties. Special activities take place during school holidays and at events (for example a knights' tournament). The Taveerne offers a children's lunchbox.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Haltestelle Rijksweg A27 Nieuwendijk
From Zaltbommel station with the HaltetaxiRRReis (on-demand bus, to be ordered); from Gorinchem station Arriva bus 402 to the stop Rijksweg A27 Nieuwendijk, then on with the HaltetaxiRRReis. Alternatively by ferry: the Riveer from Gorinchem, or the foot and bicycle ferry Woudrichem–Munnikenland (February 14 to October 31 daily 10:00–17:00; in November and December on weekends), then approx. 10 minutes on foot.
By car
Free parking · 10-min walk to the entrance
Large free car park P1 for up to 230 cars, with four motorhome pitches; approx. 10 minutes on foot to the fortress. People with disabilities can drive to the smaller car park at the castle entrance or get out at the fortress bridge.
- Accessible parking
Navigation devices do not always lead correctly to the destination. Take motorway A27, exit 22 (Nieuwendijk/Woudrichem), or A2, exit 17 (Zaltbommel), then the N322 and the Loevestein exit. In the Munnikenland, Konik horses and cattle of the "Rode Geuzen" breed roam freely; observe the 30 km/h limit. Bicycles are not allowed in the fortress; there is a bicycle station in front of the bridge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Museum café "De Taveerne" with terrace and museum shop; lockers with power outlets at De Taveerne.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Meeting rooms and banquet halls are rented for company events, celebrations, children's parties and weddings; there is also a bed & breakfast in the fortress.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Most visitors, according to the museum, plan two to four hours. On weekends, public holidays and during school holidays there is an introductory tour without reservation; further tours (including Hugo de Groot and historical highlights) by registration. Programs for primary and secondary schools are available. |
