Natewisch
History
From medieval fief to protected monument
View of Natewisch house southwest of Amerongen, L.P. Serrurier, ca. 1700
First mention
The property enters feudal tenure under Gijsbert van Zuylen. A dwelling may have existed on this site as early as the thirteenth century.
Construction of the tower
Brick analysis dates the present tower to the fourteenth century. The tower belongs to the rare type of solitary knight's estate residential tower.
First written lease record
The earliest known written source records Natewisch as a fief held from the Count of Gelre.
Recognition as a knight's estate
The States of Utrecht formally recognise Natewisch as a ridderhofstad in October of this year.
Drawn by Roelant Roghman
The earliest known image of Natewisch was made by Amsterdam draughtsman Roelant Roghman, who documented many Dutch castles around 1646–1647. He depicts a three-storey tower.
Transfer to the Taets family
Emerentia Geertruid van Zuylen marries Joost Taets van Amerongen. Under Zutphen inheritance law, which permitted female inheritance, the estate passes to the Taets van Amerongen family.
End of the Van Zuylen era
After more than four centuries, Natewisch passes entirely to the Taets van Amerongen family, where it has remained ever since.
Major renovations
Gerard Godart Taets van Amerongen commissions substantial extensions to the castle.
Demolition of extensions
The eighteenth- and nineteenth-century additions are demolished. The medieval residential tower—the heart of the estate—remains intact.
Comprehensive restoration
A careful restoration gives the tower its current form and creates a solid foundation for the future.
Foundation established
The Taets van Amerongen van Natewisch Foundation is established and takes over ownership and management of the castle.
Protected listed monument
Natewisch is listed as a national monument under numbers 7761 and 45457. Parts of the grounds are also protected as an archaeological monument.