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This wonderful castle is located near Utrecht in Holland. The origins of De Haar Castle can be found in the Middle Ages. The medieval house was founded in the 14th century. In the 15th century the castle was destroyed and rebuilt with its still existing pentagonal floor plan. During the 18th and 19th century the castle was abandoned and fell to ruin. The young owner baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar acquired the ruin by inheritance in the late 19th century. He decided to rebuild and restore his ancestral home with grandeur. Baron Etienne gave the assignment to the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. Piere Cuypers was well known for the construction and design of Amsterdam Central Station, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam and more than 90 churches. Restoration and Rebuilding The enormous project started in 1892. The 15th century walls were restored and integrated in the new design. In less than 20 years the impressive building arose, complete with towers, moats, a drawbridge and more than 150 rooms. The new building was built in the Neo-Gothic style which was very popular in the 19th century. Inspired by the Middle Ages but with modern luxuries. A central heating system, a lift, a modern kitchen, hot and cold running water in most rooms and electrical lighting provided all the luxury the baron and his guests needed during their stays.