Castle Rhijnauwen
Kasteel Rhijnauwen

This beautiful small castle is a great stop during a hike or a bike tour.

On the right bank of the Kromme Rijn, about two kilometres west of Utrecht, Bunnik, is where you'll find Rhijnauwen Castle. You can still see remnants of an earlier home in the 18th-century mansion on the left side and at the back. The residence is located in the middle of a sizable, popular country estate where you may wander along lovely pathways.

The manor has housed a youth hostel since 1933, making it the oldest hostel of the Netherlands. One of the area's top attractions, the Rhijnauwen teahouse, is located just next to the hostel.

The house's original appearance is unclear. With a farm and a moat surrounding it, it was undoubtedly some sort of keep. The building was destroyed by fire in 1450, and its remnants can still be seen in the east and south facades. A new house was constructed on the foundations in the 15th century.

The garden wall, the outer bailey, and the guardhouse were taken down in the 18th century to make room for the construction of a new west wing. Unfortunately many of the interior features from the 18th century were destroyed during different renovations that took place after 1950, but the staircase in the Louis XV style and the doors, complete with frames, are still original.