Trompenburgh

A 17th-century country house with a domed central pavilion on a small island in 's-Graveland, just west of Hilversum. Daniel Stalpaert designed it for Admiral Cornelis Tromp around 1675 as a country retreat with a strongly naval theme.

The painted ceilings in the dome — sea battles, classical allegory, allegorical Trompes l'oeil — are the highlight. Visits are by guided tour only, usually on Saturdays in season. It is an unusual surviving example of Dutch baroque domestic architecture, and the moated approach feels theatrical.

things to do sight
A story
Trompenburgh was built for Admiral Cornelis Tromp, who beat the English at the Four Days' Battle. The house is shaped like a galleon stern, with painted ceilings showing his victories, and the moated island lets the building seem to float on water.