Special: Den Ham & Estate Haarzuilens, Let’s Explore / Ridderhof Den Ham & Landgoed Haarzuilens, Op Ontdekking
Donjon Den Ham: An Iconic Landmark - Woontoren Den Ham: Een Iconisch Orientatiepunt. For years I cycle through Vleuten and I see the Hamtoren but due to the new bike path you see the Hamtoren in a different and more impressive way. The Hamtoren is the remainder and I can say an impressive remainder of Castle Den Ham in Vleuten in the Province of Utrecht. In the Province of Utrecht there are many Ridderhofsteden as they where called in the past. (See my blog about Kasteel Loenersloot and the explanation of Ridderhofsteden). It is mentioned for the first time in 1325 and it is assumed that it was built around 1260 as a residential tower (donjon) and in the following centuries wings were built, until there was a castle with an area, about six times larger was the current Hamtoren. A pen drawing from J. de Beijer: Castle Den Ham around 1750 It was strategically chosen at an inlet of the old Rijnloop because it was better defens...