Het Slot Zeist
The synonym of “slot” is “kasteel”, which means castle. And, a castle is most often called a slot when it is a small one. In the Netherlands one can find many slots. During winter, most of these little castles are closed. Some though, the popular ones, are open on weekends, while a few are currently (shall I say, always?) under restoration. Come April, many of the castles in the country will be open for visitors.
Het Slot Zeist (The Castle Zeist) in Utrecht from a slanting angle showing its little bridge. Most castles in the Netherlands are protected by a surrounding body of water, which is called a moat. And if you look closely at the first foto, I was trying to get near to a duck!
Click the second foto with the -Het Slot Zeist. On the right side text is a summarized English version of its history. If you have good eyes, you can easily read it.
The Zeist Castle in my opinion is one of those not-so-romantic and not-so-fairytale-like castles in Holland. The structure and design is just very straightforward. The lines and patterns are less ornate, and there are almost no superfluities added to the whole show. With its very simplistic Dutch Classicism style, no one would expect that this historical building stood there since 1686, the year its restoration and construction was concluded.
The coat of arms of Willen Adriaan van Nassau van Odijk who commission this castle to be built in 1686... and the pretty row of lean trees along the walkpath of the castle leading towards the Centrum of Zeist.
And contrary to the not-so-romantic impression I have, the Zeist Castle is a popular location for weddings. I am more inclined to believe that the serene and dreamy ambience of its surroundings has something to do with the romantic appeal.
These old buildings (2 compounds adjacent to each other) are located near the grounds of the Zeist castle, they are religious home quarters built exclusively for priests and nuns. There was even a graveyard beside it. Dutchman argued that in our secular and hedonistic days, perhaps no more priests and nuns live there, but normal commoners. On the second foto, see mom and kid on the bike - very normal every day scene in Holland.
When you get out of the Zeist castle main gate and you walk a few meters further towards the Centrum, you will not miss this very pretty site, the old gemeentehuis (old municipal office) of Zeist. I have no idea though what they use this building now for since its definitely too small to hold government office there.
The 4 half-diamond window shutters artwork are traditionally Dutch design. You will see them all over the country. Most are represented in red and white colors. There are a few in blue and green with white, but rarely you will see a black and white combination such as the above.
We had coffee at the Figi Hotel across, and where we sat, the view was terrific. It gave us, well in particular me, the pleasure to enjoy the beautiful piece of art. I love great works of old art and architecture.
Spring is around the corner, so there will be more castle visits scheduled in the agenda.
Het Slot Zeist (The Castle Zeist) in Utrecht from a slanting angle showing its little bridge. Most castles in the Netherlands are protected by a surrounding body of water, which is called a moat. And if you look closely at the first foto, I was trying to get near to a duck!
Click the second foto with the -Het Slot Zeist. On the right side text is a summarized English version of its history. If you have good eyes, you can easily read it.
The Zeist Castle in my opinion is one of those not-so-romantic and not-so-fairytale-like castles in Holland. The structure and design is just very straightforward. The lines and patterns are less ornate, and there are almost no superfluities added to the whole show. With its very simplistic Dutch Classicism style, no one would expect that this historical building stood there since 1686, the year its restoration and construction was concluded.
The coat of arms of Willen Adriaan van Nassau van Odijk who commission this castle to be built in 1686... and the pretty row of lean trees along the walkpath of the castle leading towards the Centrum of Zeist.
And contrary to the not-so-romantic impression I have, the Zeist Castle is a popular location for weddings. I am more inclined to believe that the serene and dreamy ambience of its surroundings has something to do with the romantic appeal.
These old buildings (2 compounds adjacent to each other) are located near the grounds of the Zeist castle, they are religious home quarters built exclusively for priests and nuns. There was even a graveyard beside it. Dutchman argued that in our secular and hedonistic days, perhaps no more priests and nuns live there, but normal commoners. On the second foto, see mom and kid on the bike - very normal every day scene in Holland.
When you get out of the Zeist castle main gate and you walk a few meters further towards the Centrum, you will not miss this very pretty site, the old gemeentehuis (old municipal office) of Zeist. I have no idea though what they use this building now for since its definitely too small to hold government office there.
The 4 half-diamond window shutters artwork are traditionally Dutch design. You will see them all over the country. Most are represented in red and white colors. There are a few in blue and green with white, but rarely you will see a black and white combination such as the above.
We had coffee at the Figi Hotel across, and where we sat, the view was terrific. It gave us, well in particular me, the pleasure to enjoy the beautiful piece of art. I love great works of old art and architecture.
Spring is around the corner, so there will be more castle visits scheduled in the agenda.
