castle de Wittenburg

Wittenburg Castle

Wittenburg Castle is situated in the woody area which used to be known as ‘Groot Hoefijzer’ or large horse shoe. Around 1600 the owner of this area was Mr. Jan Pieterz. Colff, who was also owner of the ‘In t Witte Hoefijzer’ brewery, located on Voorstraat 2 in Delft. After 1770 we see that this area was named ‘Groot Hoefijzer’ or large horse shoe. ‘Groot’ is added to avoid confusion with the farm called ‘Klein Hoefijzer’ or small horse shoe, which is located on Laan van Koot.

Stone Mason

After changing hands a number of times, the estate fell into the hands of the stone mason C. Schiffer van Bleyswijk. He was married to Suzanna de Wildt. After a renovation in 1855, the house is named after his wife: "De Wiltenburg’. Through assimilation Wiltenburg is soon scrambled to Wittenburg.

Castle

The heirs of the brick manufacturer sell the property to the occupant of the Oud Wassnaar Castle Cornelis Jan van der Ondermeulen, who sells it to equerry Helenus Marinus Speelman in the beginning of 1899. Equerry Speelman takes down the old house and on that spot builds a new stately home called Wittenburg Castle, designed by architect JJ van Nieukerken. Equerry Speelman plans to build a house somewhere between a castle and a historic stately home, but ultimately the preference to build a castle seems to prevail. After several rejected designs architect van Nieukerken makes a design that is approved. In the spring of 1899 putting out the tenders takes place. The construction is dedicated to H. Mulder Jansz from Terwolde. Some parts of ‘de Wittenburg’ are dismantled from houses in, amongst other locations Amsterdam and The Hague. To get everything as wished for and to get ideas, trips to Bruges, Oudenaerde, Fontainebleau, Blois, Chambord, Leeuwarden and Amsterdam are made. When the first stone is laid, a lead tube is cemented in the wall under the tower, containing the specifications, drawings and all coins that are then in circulation. The client/commissioner is so full of his grand plan that he is constantly present on the site. This often caused major problems. Several times, the construction had to be stopped and specifications were modified. Several times even parts of the building had to be demolished and then built up again modified, like the main tower. Initially, the shape of the tower was documented under the current situation. During construction, however, it was decided to omit the upper floor.

Not satisfied

Once the tower was finished, Speelman was not satisfied with the result. Equerry de Stuers, a famous fighter for the interests of the Dutch castles and friend of the owner, then recommends for the original plan to be implemented. The top is chopped off and levered up very cautiously, in order for an extra floor to be built underneath. The firm Slotboom from The Hague installs central heating and the electric light is derived from an aggregate which is posted in a small cottage that is still located in the park. In that cottage we also find the water pump that supplies Wittenburg Castle of fresh water.

During the war

On March 30th 1909 equerry Helenus Marius Speelman commits suicide. Mrs. Speelman-Sloet Oldruitenborgh stays at ‘deWittenburg’ up to 1934 and spends the rest of the days at her son-in-law’s in Arnhem, until she dies on October 29th 1941. The ownership of ‘de Wittenburg’ passes to her two daughters, Mrs. van der Wijck-Speelman and Mrs Beaufort-Speelman. During WWII German officers live in ‘de Wittenburg’. After liberation the Canadians live there for a short time. After that, a thorough overhaul is due to make it habitable again.

Municipality of Wassenaar

In July 1947 it is leased to Mrs Termos, who starts an exclusive boarding house. On November 25th 1953 Mrs Termos hands over the running of the boarding house to Mrs L. Meeuwissen-de Brie. On June 1st 1955 the council of Wassenaar decides to buy Wittenburg Castle and the park for half a million guilders. After several plans for the use of the estate, including the building of flats or the building of Adelbert College, on October 14th1959 the council decides to sell the estate to the Utrecht company Holweg. The actual transfer never takes place as the council and the Deputy of State can not accept the plans from this company. On June 11th 1962 the council approves to sell ‘de Wittenburg’ to Committee to establish the Association of International reception centres ‘Club of the Royal Netherlands’. On October 8th 1962, the limited partnership to operate ‘de Wittenburg’ is formed. Part of the park remains the property of the municipality of Wassenaar and will be open to the public. An association is set up with the purpose of making Wittenburg Castle an international reception centre for business. Simultaneously, the limited operating company ‘de Wittenburg’ is established to run the castle as well as ‘de Regentes’, in which the property is classified, such as the castle, the carriage house and the 1.2 acres of land. At a later stage, ‘de Regentes’ is transformed into the limited liability association ‘de Wittenburg’.

Recent history

In recent years the castle has been completely refurbished. In 1992 the castle was expanded with a 260 square meter multi function room, with an adjacent built-in kitchen with the most modern appliances. A hundred years after the construction of Wittenburg Castle it can be established that the association counts more than 1000 card holders, the operating company has reached an outstanding number of members and guests and the estate association is capable of maintaining and improving the castle and estate. Recently the coach house and castle were completely renovated.