Slot Loevestein

Mommy and the boys went on an expedition to see a castle today (www.slotloevestein.nl).  We took one tram, two trains and a river ferry to get there.

On the Ferry Approaching the Castle

Slot Loevestein was built in the 14th century to control trade and traffic on the Rivers Waal and Maas.   It has star shaped ramparts surrounded by a moat and then a second moat inside the fortifications around the castle itself.  In the 17th century it was turned into a state prison.  Its most famous prisoner was the “father of international law” Hugo Grotius.  His wife arranged for him to escape from the prison in a chest of books (true).

The Drawbridge over the Inner Moat

We climbed all the way up to the top of the tallest tower.  The stairs were very steep and very narrow.

In the Castle Door

After we explored the castle we ran all the way around the ramparts, stopping to go up and down the sides and say hello to the lambs grazing on them.  The ferry took us back to the town of Gorinchem which still has its old star-shaped moat and city walls.  We watched four boats go through the locks, had some pizza and took two trains and one tram back to Scheveningen.

Sir Henry Protects the Castle