Middachten Castle

Middachten Castle is a monumental manor house situated on the Middachten estate in De Steeg, within the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. While the first historical mention of a fortress on this site dates back to 1190 under the ownership of Jacobus de Mithdac, the current structure was constructed between 1693 and 1698. This rebuilding effort was commissioned by Godard van Ginkel and his spouse following the destruction of the previous castle by retreating French troops in 1673. The architectural design, created by Jacobus Roman and Steven Vennecool, was heavily influenced by Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn, resulting in a distinguished example of Dutch Baroque architecture from the Golden Age.

The estate holds significant historical value, having changed hands from local lords to the Count of Gelre in the 14th century before remaining with one family until 1625. Beyond the main building, the grounds feature a notable evolution of landscape design. Originally laid out between 1700 and 1725 to mimic the grand gardens of Versailles, the grounds were later adapted to the British style in the late 18th century before being partially restored to their original French formalism around 1900 by Hugo Poortman. Although the castle no longer owns its once-extensive surrounding lands, former estate buildings can still be identified by their distinctive red and white coloring.

Today, Middachten Castle is recognized as a national monument, or rijksmonument, and is included in the Top 100 Dutch heritage sites list. It stands as a preserved testament to centuries of regional history, surviving multiple cycles of destruction and reconstruction. The property continues to be a prominent landmark in Rheden, offering visitors a glimpse into the aristocratic past of the Netherlands through its well-maintained architecture and historically layered gardens.