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Updated: 16-dec-2009
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A little historyLittle is known about the history of Rhoon Castle. The present day castle mainly dates from the 16th century. It doesn't really fit my definition of a castle but for the sake of completeness it does get mentioned here. On the site of Rhoon Castle has stood a real castle which was probably founded in the 13th century by a man called Biggo. This Biggo probably came from the province of Zeeland. He had bought the land in 1199 from Dirk VII, Count of Holland. Because Biggo had to get permission from the Count for building a castle it is concluded that he wasn't a knight or a nobleman. What his exact status was isn't known only that he was wealthy. How his castle looked isn't known.
The old castle was repaired repeatedly but these repairs more and more turned into rebuilding the castle. The last and greatest rebuilding took place in 1598 and all its defensive features were replaced by more a friendly appearance.
Since 1969 the castle is owned by the Rhoon Castle Foundation who restaurated the complete building. The castle and it's outbuildings now serve a variety of cultural functions such as a restaurant and as a center for exhibitions, music and poetry performances and weddings. Location and contact information
Rhoon Castle Links
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Biggo's descendants owned the castle and the surrounding lands until 1683 but had to cope with several floods
during their lifetimes which drowned their lands. In 1489 the village and the castle were ransacked by the
Hoeken. And again in 1572 the Watergeuzen set fire to the castle.
In the following centuries Rhoon Castle had a lot wealthy and less wealthy owners and it was used as a court.
From 1683 on the castle housed no permanent residents. It's owners just used it for a few days each year. In
1913 it's last owner died and the castle became property of a trading-firm.
Dorpsdijk 63 in Rhoon, tel.nr. 010-5016638.