Blankenburg Castle

Blankenburg Castle, locally known as Kasteel Blankenburg, lies in the town of Beuningen, in the Gelderland province in the Netherlands.

The site of Blankenburg Castle has been used for habitation since some 2000 years. There is proof of a Roman villa and a Carolingian settlement on this site. The spelling of its name varies; it is also known as Blanckenborch Castle.

Later during the 12th and 13th century a predecessor of Blankenburg Castle stood here; Wildenberg Castle. It was the home of the Boninghe knights.

In 1447 the Van Appeltern family sold Blankenburg Castle to Lady Ot van Egmond. It stayed in the Van Egmond family until 1462 when it was sold by Frederik van Egmond, great-grandfather of Anna van Egmond van Buren, the first wife of William I, Prince of Orange.

In 1774 the castle was sold in a dilapidated state by the Van Wijhe family who had owned it for several centuries.

In 1863 the castle was pulled down, except the present tower. Its stones were used to build the farm that still stands next to the castle terrain.

The former castle existed of a main castle with a bailey and double moats. The present remaining tower was the gate tower to the bailey. It is now part of a public park. It looks to me that the tower is not being used for anything although a leaflet I found stated that it was used as an office by some kind of motivational speakers.

This is all the historical info I was able to find. If anyone knows more, please mail me.

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