How old is the castle at De Ruwenberg Estate?

De Ruwenberg Castle dates from the fourteenth century. The oldest part still standing is the octagonal tower from the sixteenth century. The tower is a listed monument.

What was De Ruwenberg Estate in the past?

The castle was an aristocratic residence for centuries. In 1852, the Brothers of Tilburg opened a boarding school for boys there: Huize Ruwenberg. After the sale in 1989, a conference centre was built on the site, incorporating what remained of the castle.

Historisch buitenaanzicht van kasteel De Ruwenberg met omringend groen.

History

History of the castle in Sint-Michielsgestel

Name: De Ruwenberg Estate
Address: Ruwenbergstraat 7, Sint-Michielsgestel, 5271 AG, NL
Telephone: +31 (0)73-55 888 88

A home by the Dommel River for centuries

The castle of De Ruwenberg Estate in Sint-Michielsgestel was an aristocratic residence for centuries, then a boarding school and a conference centre. Where aristocratic families and boarders once lived, our guests now stay, meet and dine.

Since the 14th century

De Ruwenberg Castle dates from the 14th century. Its exact origin is unknown. The castle probably grew out of a fortified homestead in the second half of that century. The oldest part still standing is the octagonal tower from the sixteenth century.
The castle escaped ruin several times. In 1866, a fire broke out in the attic and was put out in time. In 1884, the tower threatened to collapse and was repaired. In 1911, plans for a large extension would have meant demolishing the old part entirely. Just before work was due to start, the Second World War broke out. After the war, the demolition plans were dropped and the tower survived. Today it is a listed monument.
An aristocratic residence by the Dommel

The castle was originally a noble residence and changed hands several times over the centuries. The Van Thuyl family owned it from 1375 to 1455, and the lords of Ravenschot from 1527 to 1655. In the seventeenth century, when Catholics were not allowed to practise their faith openly, the chapel was used mainly behind closed doors.
In 1833, Henricus den Dubbelden, apostolic vicar of 's-Hertogenbosch, bought the castle and settled there in 1834. A garden house, ponds and a flower garden were laid out on the estate. A nineteenth-century description shows how modest the castle was then: downstairs two rooms, a reception hall, a kitchen and a pantry, upstairs six small bedrooms and, behind the tower, the beginnings of a chapel.
From castle to conference centre

In 1852, De Ruwenberg became a boarding school for boys: Huize Ruwenberg. Bishop Johannes Zwijsen, titular bishop of Gerra and apostolic vicar of 's-Hertogenbosch, had bought the castle and handed it over to the Brothers of Tilburg, who set up the institute there. The boarding school prepared boys between seven and twelve for the study of the humanities at the seminary, with a religious upbringing and lessons in Dutch and French. On 6 October 1852, the first pupils arrived: 61 in total, 57 of them from North Brabant and four from Gelderland.
From 1965, the boarding school took no new pupils. In 1989, the Brothers sold the grounds. The boarding school buildings were demolished and a conference centre was built on the site, incorporating what remained of the castle.
Today De Ruwenberg Estate is a hotel and meeting venue set in 14 hectares, where guests meet, stay overnight and unwind.

Questions about the history

De Ruwenberg Castle dates from the fourteenth century. The oldest part still standing is the octagonal tower from the sixteenth century. The tower is a listed monument.
The castle was an aristocratic residence for centuries. In 1852, the Brothers of Tilburg opened a boarding school for boys there: Huize Ruwenberg. After the sale in 1989, a conference centre was built on the site, incorporating what remained of the castle.