Vorden Castle - Vorden

Vorden Castle was mentioned as far back as the early 14th century. After centuries of being inhabited by various families, the castle was put to use as a town hall. A few years ago, this came to an end. Since then, it has again been a family home that is privately occupied. The lady of the castle gives guided tours of the historically decorated castle. There is a restaurant in the farm next to the castle.

Originally, the castle consisted of a square tower, which was later expanded with side wings. In 1580, English soldiers in the service of the state caused considerable destruction to the castle. But not only that, they kidnapped the wife and children of the then occupant Maurits Ripperda, scion of the old noble Groninger family. As if this was not enough, shortly after this event a huge fire raged. At the end of the sixteenth century, the castle was restored and moats were added.

In the seventeenth century, one of the wings was extended. From the late eighteenth century onwards, the castle was hardly inhabited. A century later, the property came into the hands of the young Paulus Anthony van der Borch, who thoroughly renovated the castle. His prosperity was short-lived. After a forced sale, the castle once again fell into disrepair. In 1976, the new owner, the municipality of Vorden, restored the building and lived there until the municipalities of Vorden and Bronkhorst merged.

A special feature is the seventeenth-century fireplace. Most of the windows are cross-windows with shell fillings, while a late-Gothic staircase spindle can still be admired in the tower.

Old photo: Nationaal Archief