Kasteel Verwolde

Late-baroque country house and gardens north of Lochem

Verwolde is the most polished of the country houses around Lochem, a brick-and-stone block in late-baroque style set on its moated island in the hamlet of Laren, six kilometres north of town. The interiors — including a baroque chapel, a state dining room and a 19th-century kitchen still fitted with copper pans — are open to visitors as part of the Geldersch Landschap & Kastelen network.

The formal gardens have been restored, and the surrounding park is open year-round for walks. Combine a visit with a coffee at the small estate café.

things to do sight historic house castle
A story
The current Verwolde was built in 1776 for Adolph Werner Carel van der Borch — a baron in the Holy Roman Empire who wanted a respectable seat in the Achterhoek. The house was deliberately old-fashioned even when new: the architect copied Louis-XIV fashions a hundred years out of date because the patron preferred them to the lighter rococo of the period.