Groeneveld Castle
Groeneveld Castle in Baarn is an 18th-century country estate and one of the finest examples of a country house from that time. Since the 17th century, regents and merchants came to country estates to enjoy the good life at some distance from the city: peace, space, fresh air, nature, culture, good food, encounters and good conversations. For the same reasons, some 1,000,000 visitors a year still come to Landgoed Groeneveld.
History
The house was built around 1710 and is considered one of the finest examples of a country house from the Rococo style period.
Groeneveld Castle was built in the tradition of 17th and 18th century estates. At that time it was customary for wealthy city dwellers, mainly Amsterdammers, to purchase an 'outside'.
In essence, the country estates were intended as summer houses. This also applies to Groeneveld, which was probably built on the foundations of a farmstead. Initially, the house consisted only of the central part of the main house and the two outbuildings: coach house and orangery. The side wings date from around 1760.
Residents
Until 1940 Groeneveld Castle was privately owned. House and estate have often changed hands. Some owners made major changes to the house or garden.
The rich history comes to life on the first floor through, among other things, the original wallpaper paintings and the beautiful stucco work by Van Logteren from the 18th century. But there is also attention for the post-war period, when Groeneveld was a sanctuary for Amsterdam writers and artists. During the most recent renovation (2012), the original kitchen in the basement was restored to its former glory.
Groeneveld Castle is now managed by Staatsbosbeheer.