Loevestein Castle

Slot Loevestein is a water castle built in the years 1357-1388. It was created as a simple brick building on a square plan. It was erected in a strategic place in the middle of the Netherlands, at the junction of the Maas and Waal rivers, to collect customs duties on merchant ships. Currently, the castle is a museum. Cultural events take place there, rooms, rooms for business meetings, weddings and occasional parties can be rented.

The construction of the castle began on the orders of the knight Dirk Loef van Horne around 1357. In the 70s of the 16th century it was expanded to the size of a fortress, which was surrounded by an earth rampart, and was defended by three stone bastions and two moats. Until World War II, Slot Loevestein was part of the main Dutch defense line.

From 1619, a political prison existed in the castle. One of the most famous detainees was Hugo de Groot (Grotius), a lawyer, poet and politician, called the father of modern international law. English Vice Admiral George Ayscue was also imprisoned here, who was captured when his ship unfortunately ran aground in 1666.