De Haar Castle Utrecht, is the ideal image of a medieval fortress with gates, drawbridges, towers and ramparts and moats. It is surrounded by old gardens with impressive trees, and ponds.
It was originally founded in the late 1300’s by the van de Haar family and by 1449, the castle became the property of the Van Zuylen family thru marriage.
French troops attacked the castle during the years 1672 and 1673. After that it was left in a poor state of repair and was neglected for 200 years.
Castle De Haar is located in the province of Utrecht. The village Haarzuilen was relocated to lay out the gardens, except for the chapel.
Baron Thierry Frederic Etienne Helin van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar married Hélène Caroline Betty Louise de Rothschild and from that moment on money was not an issue any more.
De Haar renovation started from 1892 and are the work of Dutch architect P.J.H. Cuypers, in a Neo-Gothic restoration project funded by the Rothschild family.
The motto of the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar family is ‘Non Titubans’ meaning ‘I will not be destabilised’.
The colours of the family are red and white.
Members of the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt family still live in the castle every month of September.
In addition, the castle can be rented for weddings and special events such as the ‘the Elf Fantasy Fair’, with medieval music, theater performances, dance and lectures.
https://www.visitutrechtregion.com/en/locations/1749728956/castle-de-haar-1