Loevestein Castle

Located in the small town of Poederoyen in the province of Gelderland, Loevestein Castle is located where the Meuse and Waal rivers meet. Loevestein is a water castle that was built between 1357 and 1368. In addition to being a strategic defensive work, Loevestein Castle also earned a good income from charging a toll to travellers. In the early 17th century, Loevestein became an official state prison, and the location for the most famous escape in Dutch history. The Castle was also part of the Dutch Water Line.

The escape of Hugo Grotius

One of the most famous prisoners kept in Loevestein Castle was Hugo Grotius. This Rotterdam scholar and Grand Pensionary made a most spectacular escape from Loevestein Castle, where he had been sentenced to life in prison. Although Grotius was locked up, he did have the right to literature, and every now and then, a large chest full of books was delivered. In the beginning, the guards would check the chest, but after a while, this happened less and less frequently. This gave Hugo Grotius’ wife, Maria van Reigersberch, the idea to smuggle her husband out in the chest. One day, Hugo Grotius saw his chance and got into the chest. He escaped and fled to France.

Unique nature reserve

When you visit Loevestein Castle, you are given a personal key so that you can discover the castle and its stories. Museum guides tell about knights, prisoners and stories. Children can listen to the story of the escape of Hugo de Groot, and they are allowed to climb into the book chest themselves. Loevestein Castle is an archaeological site. Discover traces of its former residents in the exhibitions of dug-up items. Furthermore, the castle lies in the middle of a unique nature reserve. A visit to Loevestein can be nicely combined with a walk through this beautiful area full of unique plants and birds.