Museum Castle Amerongen

Amerongen Castle is one of the great Dutch houses from the 17th century. The house, garden and furnishings form a unit seldom seen in the Netherlands. Amerongen Castle has a rich family-history, going back 700 years. The owners played an important part in the national and European history.

Godard Adriaan van Reede (1621-1691) held a key-position in the insurrection against the French supremacy. As a retribution the house was burnt down by the French in 1673, but rebuilt by his wife Margaretha Turnor. The German Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859-1941) lived at Amerongen Castle for 18 months and signed his abdication here in 1918. The desk at which this happened is still part of the Amerongen collection. The house, surrounded by historical gardens, is situated in the picturesque village of Amerongen at the foot of the Utrecht Hills.

Amerongen Castle is vibrant with activities, such as (theme)tours, seasonal festivities, concerts, exhibitions and children’s activities. Visit and experience its history! An unmissable example of the Dutch Heritage.

The English Connection

Over the centuries Amerongen has had a close relationship with England, starting in 1690 when Godard van Reede a.k.a “de Ginkel” (1644-1703) won the Battle of the Boyne as commander-in-chief of King William III ’s troops .He became the 1rst Earl of Athlone.

In 1795, when the French invaded this country ,Frederik Christiaan van Reede, the 5th Earl of Athlone ,fled to England together with his friend and Stadtholder Willem V and many other noblemen. He then took the seat he was entitled to in the House of Lords. During the 19th century his sons and their descendants lived in England and visited Amerongen only occasionally.

After the -childless- death of the 9th Earl of Athlone the last , female, owner left the house in 1879 to her godson Count van Aldenburg Bentinck, who had his education in England and hired a British nanny to raise his children and grandchildren in the same spirit!

Tourist Information Center

Museum Castle Amerongen is also a Tourist Information Center (VVV). Here you may find the current leaflets of the region and also the one for cycling- and walking routes.

Please inquire at Museum Castle Amerongen or the local Tourist Center (VVV) for the availability of VVV gift cards.