800 years of Duivenvoorde Estate & Castle (1226)

In 2026, Duivenvoorde Estate & Castle in Voorschoten celebrates an exceptional milestone: 800 years of history. 'Duivenvoorde' is first mentioned in written sources in 1226, making it one of the oldest estates in the Netherlands. The anniversary year kicks off on April 16, 2026, and is entirely dedicated to connecting the past, present, and future, featuring a broad public program that can be experienced throughout the year – both in the castle and on the estate. The anniversary is being celebrated extensively with an exhibition, a film, educational routes, historical concerts, outdoor dinners based on recipes from the house archives, and activities for children. Well worth a visit if you are visiting this castle. Older than Amsterdam (750 years) and as old as Diemen (800 years).

800 years of Duivenvoorde Estate & Castle

Past, present, and future come together in anniversary year

Anniversary exhibition: 800 years of estate and castle

From April 16, 2026, the exhibition 800 Years of Duivenvoorde will be on display. In this exhibition, visitors are introduced to the rich history, vibrant present, and promising future of Duivenvoorde in a new way. In eight different displays, the museum takes visitors through eight centuries of Duivenvoorde. The rooms highlight various periods of habitation, including the Van Wassenaer, Steengracht, and Schimmelpenninck van der Oye families. In the Porcelain Room, a devastating explosion that struck the castle in March 1945 is brought to life through sound effects and visible shards. A special experience is visiting the oldest part of the castle, featuring a 120-centimeter-thick wall dating back to the Middle Ages. The wall was discovered following extensive architectural and historical research that mapped out the castle's various construction phases.

 

Three new artists: contemporary reflections on 800 years of history

As a bridge from the past to the future, three young artists have been invited to create new work inspired by Duivenvoorde and its history. Bouke de Vries (1960) transforms historical shards from the ceramics collection – damaged in the explosion in 1945 – into a new artwork. De Vries, internationally known for his work with broken ceramics, gives these historical fragments a second life, thus connecting loss and restoration in one powerful image. Sophie Steengracht (1991), a descendant of the estate's owners, presents magical copper engravings of plants, inspired by the nature of Duivenvoorde. She conducted research in the library into organic pigments from the castle garden. Her work shows both the beauty and the transience of the landscape. Josua Wechsler (1986) designed a sculpture made of acacia wood for the walking park. His work, which depicts the cycle of growth and decay, invites visitors to reflect on the relationship between man, nature, and time. The artworks are on display in the castle (De Vries and Steengracht) and the park, accompanied by lectures and a 'making of' film. In this way, Duivenvoorde also reaches new target groups and art lovers. The artworks will become part of the permanent collection.

 

New children's book and children's performance: Annabel's Ghost

Especially for the anniversary, the picture book *Het spook van Annabel* is being published, written by Duivenvoorde director Antoinette van Dorssen and illustrated by Maryse Kok. The story, intended for children aged 4 to 10, follows a little dove that experiences adventures in and around the castle. The book forms the basis for a children's performance, developed in collaboration with GrootsEntertainment, which is staged during school holidays. In addition, libraries and primary schools in the region will receive a copy of the book.

 

The 800-steps path: learning and experiencing in the park

A new '800-step path' is being constructed in the walking park: an educational experience trail for children aged 4 to 10. Along the route, they playfully discover the flora, fauna, and history of the estate. Characters from the picture book *The Ghost of Annabel* come to life along the way. Children are challenged to use their senses and test their balance via wooden beams and platforms made of sustainable robinia wood.

 

Sustainability

With an exhibition, a film, educational routes, historical concerts, outdoor dinners based on recipes from the estate archives, and activities for children, Duivenvoorde emphatically positions itself as an enterprising family estate where experience, hospitality, and sustainability take center stage. Sustainability forms an important guiding principle. New presentations, digital resources, publications, and collaborations are being developed to remain usable beyond 2026. In this way, Duivenvoorde invests not only in a festive anniversary year but also in a future-proof visitor experience.

 

Duivenvoorde Estate & Castle

To this day, the estate operates according to a centuries-old principle: income from leases, long-term leases, and rentals is used for the preservation of 22 national monuments and 260 hectares of pasture, forest, and parkland. Paviljoen Duivenvoorde stands close to the castle. The restaurant's menu is fully attuned to the seasons and, where possible, makes use of the rich harvest from the estate itself.

 

Source: Press release Duivenvoorde Estate & Castle

 

<strong> More info: </strong>

800 years of Duivenvoorde Estate & Castle:

https://www.kasteelduivenvoorde.nl/jubileum-duivenvoorde/

See the Calendar with many activities, including May 24 and 25, 2026: Day of the Castle.

Previous museum blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/made-in-holland/