# Westhove Castle

- **Country:** the Netherlands
- **Coordinates:** 51.569820, 3.521740
- **Location Text:** Domburg, Zeeland

Westhove Castle, known locally as Kasteel Westhove, is a historic water castle situated in Oostkapelle on the island of Walcheren in the province of Zeeland, Netherlands. Originally constructed in the thirteenth century using brick, the estate was first documented in a 1277 charter as property of the Middelburg Abbey. For centuries, it served as a significant political hub where the powerful abbots, who also chaired the States of Zeeland, hosted royalty and dignitaries. Notable visitors included Count Floris V, who signed the Treaty of Westhove there in 1290, as well as Emperor Charles V and Queen Wilhelmina, highlighting its long-standing role in Dutch governance and diplomacy.

The castle's history is marked by both grandeur and conflict. During the Eighty Years' War, specifically the Siege of Middelburg in 1572, the structure was occupied by soldiers and subsequently set ablaze by Watergeuzen forces before passing into private hands. Over the following centuries, ownership transferred through prominent families such as the Boreels and Slichers, who expanded the grounds with features like an orangery and large water gardens. The weather vane featuring a heron remains a distinctive architectural detail from the early eighteenth century, reflecting the estate's evolution under various lords.

Today, Westhove Castle is open to the public and has been repurposed for cultural and recreational use. While the main house retains its historical character, the former orangery now houses the Terra Maris museum, which focuses on nature and regional heritage. The grounds continue to attract visitors interested in its rich past, offering a tangible connection to the medieval abbey era and the turbulent wars that shaped the region. As a well-preserved example of a Dutch water castle, it stands as a testament to Zeeland's complex social and military history.

![Photo of Westhove Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Kasteel_Westhove_oostkapelle.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westhove_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)