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The rich history of Kasteel Steenenburg
From medieval walls to the Land van Ooit
Landgoed Steenenburg is a place where history, imagination and innovation come together. Central to this special estate is Kasteel Steenenburg, a castle that has been the heart of the estate for centuries. From noble residence to imaginative theme park, over the years the castle has had many functions.
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A past rooted in medieval nobility
The history of Kasteel Steenenburg goes back to the year 1230, when Dirk van Altena transferred his possessions in present-day Heusden to the Duke of Brabant. Not much later it came into the hands of the noble Van Haestrecht family, who resided here for six generations.
In 1559, the castle was first mentioned in a charter recognizing it as a place of jurisdiction. Strategically located in the swampy Brabant countryside, the fortified house grew into a stately country estate.
Through heirs and marriages, the estate came into the hands of influential families such as Van Wassenaer (shown in the image) and Van Beieren-Schagen. In 1707, granddaughter Maria Isabella van Beieren-Schagen married the Belgian Count d'Oultremont and the estate came into the control of the d'Oultremont family.
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The d'Oultremont family
In 1707 Kasteel Steenenburg came into the hands of the Belgian noble family d'Oultremont through marriage. The castle grew into a stately residence surrounded by woods, ponds and hunting grounds. Around 1875, Adriaan d'Oultremont, Belgian military officer and member of parliament, had a major renovation carried out in which the long left wing was replaced - the basis for its current form.
After 1787, the castle fell into disrepair. During the English occupation, occupant Johan Kuffeler had to flee because of the misconduct of soldiers, and in 1795 a fire reduced much of the building to ashes. Restoration followed, although it is unclear exactly what was modified. In 1894, French troops temporarily occupied it as a military hospital.
Nevertheless, the family continued to visit the castle. Starting in 1896, Count d'Oultremont stayed here for several weeks every year, and in 1903 his son Jean spent the summers in Drunen with his nine children.
The castle through the years
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The Land van Ooit: Where children are in charge
In 1984, entrepreneur Marc Taminiau bought Kasteel Steenenburg with a striking dream: to transform the estate into an imaginative theme park for children. Thus was born The Land van Ooit - a place where children ruled and pink knights, talking trees and theatrical characters determined daily life. The castle acted as a gateway to another world, where visitors participated in living stories rather than boarding attractions.
The park had an atmosphere all its own, complete with its own currency and form of state. Interaction and imagination were key: no roller coasters, but an outdoor theater where every child was seen as a knight or countess. Millions of visitors experienced unforgettable adventures there.
Yet the fairy tale could not withstand financial headwinds. In 2007, The Land van Ooit closed its gates for good. What remained was a mysterious landscape full of memories - and a castle that once again awaited its next chapter.
The Land van Ooit used its own currency, the "OoitSent."
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Kasteel Steenenburg now and in the future
After years of silence, Landgoed Steenenburg will regain meaning since 2021. In the heart of the grounds, with the iconic castle as its centerpiece, a contemporary living and working area is rising. Here the future is being built with respect for the past - a place where history and progress meet.
The castle itself shines in a new role; in addition to inspiring meeting rooms, you can visit the castle's atmospheric bar or dine in the restaurant. Whether a meeting, a romantic weekend or an unforgettable celebration: every moment here becomes an experience.
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