Verwolde House is built on the foundations of a medieval castle, of which little remains today.This stately home was constructed in 1776, surrounded by formal gardens.The house and gardens were opened to the public following a series of restorations in 1927.The estate also boasts a number of lovely farms and workers’ houses.
Verwolde Castle
The medieval castle served as an important strategic stronghold on the border between the Duchy of Guelders and Oversticht (Overijssel). In 1510, it had not been part of the Duchy of Guelders for long when a large army from Oversticht surrounded it, attacked it with great force and raised it to the ground. A new castle was built shortly afterwards, but this too has since disappeared.
Baron of Borch
The present house was commissioned in 1776 by Frederik Willem, Baron of Borch and designed by Philip Willem Schonck, architect to Governor (Stadholder) William V. It took nine months to construct the two-storey brick house in Dutch classical style. Formal gardens were created surrounding the house, which was a trend that had been brought over from France. Schonck also designed the interior, giving it a marble hall with beautiful plasterwork, a Chinese room with hand-painted wallpaper and a drawing room with luxurious fireplaces. The baron´s coat of arms was hung proudly over the front door.
Museum
The Baroness of Borch restored and extended the house in 1927, building a tower that was reminiscent of the former medieval castle yet somewhat out-of-place with the house’s symmetrical design. The Baroness also had the ancient canals around the house filled in, and when WWII broke out, she converted Verwolde House into a sanatorium. In doing this, the Baroness prevented the Germans from taking over the house. In 1977, the Van der Borch family donated the estate to the Stichting Geldersche Kasteelen national heritage foundation and it is now open to the public with guided tours of the house.
