One from the archives. I came for the cherry blossom, I went away with the remainder of a castle. 😁

Sony A73, Sony FE 24-105mm lens
1/400th of a second, F/9, ISO 200
23rd of March 2025, 14:11 CET

#jdjphotographynl #kasteelschonauwen #houten #utrechtinbeeld #exploringutrecht #ontdekutrecht #utrecht_netherlands #utrechts_landschap #inholland #netherlands #hollandspracht #bestofnetherlands #nederland_wat_ben_je_mooi #hollands_mooiste_fotos #landscape #landscapephotography #nightphotography #cameranu_nl #zoomnl #cameraland_nl

Kasteel Schonauwen is a historic site located in Houten, in the province of Utrecht, Netherlands. Established in 1261, it originally served as a monastic grange for the Premonstratensian abbey of Mariënwaard in Beesd. In the early 14th century, the property was transformed into a fortified residence by the Van Beusichem family, who began calling themselves Van Schonauwen.

Throughout the centuries, the castle changed hands multiple times. In 1536, it was recognized as a 'ridderhofstad' (knightly manor), granting its owners a seat in the Provincial States of Utrecht. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle underwent significant renovations, transitioning from a medieval fortress to a more comfortable residence with gardens and orchards.

In 1812, the castle was purchased by Hendrik Ravée, who demolished most of the structure for fiscal reasons, leaving only the current round tower intact. This tower stands approximately 13.5 meters tall with a diameter of 5.5 meters.

Today, Kasteel Schonauwen is a private residence and is not open to the public.