Spangen Castle

Spangen Castle was a former castle located in the Overschie neighborhood of Rotterdam, in South Holland, Netherlands.

It was first built in the early 13th century by the Lord of Uiternesse. At that time, the castle would have been a sturdy stone tower on a mound, surrounded by a moat. It was named after a nearby stream. In 1359, the castle was partly destroyed during the Hook and Cod Wars.

Philips of Spangen inherited the castle, and between 1385 and 1400, he had it rebuilt into a fortified complex with five towers. However, the Hook and Cod Wars continued, and in 1426, the castle was again destroyed, this time by troops of Willem Nagel, bailiff of Alkmaar and Kennemerland. Philip II of Spangen rebuilt the castle between 1443 and 1460.

In 1488, during the Jonker Frans War, the last of the Hook and Cod Wars, Spangen Castle was looted and damaged by troops of Frans van Brederode. Philip II of Spangen sought reimbursement for the damages from the Court of the Count of Holland, but was only awarded a small amount.

Evidently, the castle was repaired, as it was habitable in the mid-16th century. In 1572, William II de la Marck, the Sea Beggar and Lord of Lumey, and his troops occupied the castle. Later that same year, it was destroyed by a gang of criminals from Delft. In 1574, the castle met its final fate when Spanish troops burned down what had remained to prevent future use. It was never rebuilt.

Over time, Spangen Castle fell into ruin and gradually disappeared. Until the mid-19th century, parts of its walls were still visible in the fields. By the early 20th century, it had completely vanished. The area was annexed by Rotterdam in 1941. That same year, archaeological excavations uncovered the castle's foundations, but they were later removed to make way for the new Bornisse harbor and an industrial zone.

Today, nothing remains of Spangen Castle.

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