Arnhem, Doorwerth, Rozendaal

As we cycle through the beautiful countryside towards Doorwerth castle, with a little imagination we can still see the knights trotting beside us on their horses. In the Duchy of Gelre, many dukes and counts competed for power for centuries.

During the fourteenth century, Nijmegen, Zutphen, Roermond and Arnhem were the capitals of the duchy. From 1492, Arnhem was the seat of Charles of Egmond, who made every effort not to be incorporated into the Habsburg Empire. From then on, the new ruler went through life as Charles of Gelre; he became the most powerful duke Gelre has known. Charles was an intelligent strategist but also cunning and cruel. He was very religious and he loved playing handball, according to the books in Heritage Centre Rozet. In 1493, Duke Charles of Gelre besieged Doorwerth castle. This castle has been regularly rebuilt over the centuries but still has a medieval core with its hall tower.

The battle for Arnhem and Gelre with the Burgundians and Habsburgs continued unabated. In 1514, Charles of Gelre recaptured Arnhem with a variation on the ‘Trojan horse’. Soldiers hid on a wagon under corn sacks and thus penetrated the city. Under Charles of Gelre, Arnhem slowly became the centre of government of Gelre. Charles took up residence there and his squire Maarten van Rossum moved into the Duivelshuis.

In 1530, Charles shifted the course of the Rhine, allowing new trade in the city and increasing its toll. A tour of the Historic Cellars gives a good idea of this era. Rosendael Castle was an administrative centre at the time. Only the keep remains of the original castle but a visit is well worthwhile. Charles also built Biljoen castle in Velp. Unfortunately, this castle cannot be visited.

Not long after his death in 1538, the Duchy of Gelre was incorporated into the Habsburg Empire by Emperor Charles V in 1543. The Gelre Middle Ages were then over for good. Charles of Gelre was buried in Arnhem in an imposing marble tomb in the Grote- or Eusebiuskerk. On the Jansplaats stands his statue.

During this route, we cross by ferry between node 53 and 59. This ferry sails almost all year round. For current times visit www.drielseveer.nl. An alternative route passes the nodes; 53 - 39 - 52 - 35

Old photos: The Gelderland Archive

This Premium cycle route was compiled by our editor: Yvonne Vlaskamp.