Coldenhove Castle

Due to its excellent location in the Veluwe, the castle used as hunting lodge by the dukes of Guelders and the princes of Orange.

[1][2] In 1516, Charles II, Duke of Guelders (1467-1538) sells the castle to his huntsman, Gerrit van Scherpenzeel, landdrost of the Veluwe.

[1][2] In his first part of his reign as stadtholder, he spent as much as ten weeks a year hunting in the Veluwe.

[1][2] William III and Mary Stuart (1662-1694) had various houses in this area, like the Hof te Dieren and the palace Het Loo.

[1][2][6] The Dutch national archives contain the design for the impressive gardens around the palace including various large ponds.

[1][2][6] Some scholars attribute the plan to the architect Daniel Marot (1661-1752)[1][2][6] Other scholars think that the design has been made by Jan van Arnhem (1636-1716), friend of William III and owner of Rozendael castle, where he designed similar gardens including a similar set of large ponds.

[1][2] Some scholars argue that instead of fire, the old castle was demolished and no replacement was constructed due to the early passing of the king.

Design for the new gardens for Coldenhove Castle in 1701. By some scholars attributed to Daniel Marot
The design includes two scenarios of how the ponds could be laid out
The garden design is also attributed to Jan van Arnhem, who created similar gardens at his castle in Rosendael near Arnhem