Bulgersteyn Castle

Bulgersteyn Castle was a former castle that was situated in the city of Rotterdam, in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands.

Bulgersteyn was first mentioned in 1333 when a residence with about 5 hectares of land was pawned from the Count of Holland by Diederiek die Visser. At that time, it was located directly next to the town of Rotterdam, on a small moated island. Over the following decades, the medieval town expanded, and by 1358, the castle was already inside the city walls. Johanna van Teijlingen was mentioned as Lady of Bulgersteyn during that period. The site was first called a 'castle' in 1390.

Because of the increasing power of the town at the expense of the feudal owners of the castle, Bulgersteyn Castle fell into neglect during the 15th century. In 1449, it was described as quite dilapidated, and in 1488, it was destroyed when Frans van Brederode conquered Rotterdam during the Hook and Cod Wars.

Apparently, some parts of the castle survived, as part of it was still used for habitation in 1550. By 1560, the castle had vanished, leaving only its foundations and minor ruins. Throughout the 17th century, everything was removed as the city grew.

In 1941, archaeological excavations uncovered the foundations of the castle after the city center was destroyed by the German bombing of Rotterdam the previous year.

Currently, nothing remains of Bulgersteyn Castle.

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