Huis Ruurlo

English translation

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Description

Description component 1:

MAIN BUILDING HUIS RUURLO (Ruurlo). Huis Ruurlo is a fully moated, under-cellaried, red brick building that from the 16th century was extended in various phases and as a result comprises different building volumes. The current front is formed by a rectangular building block with a heavy square tower on the right side (south). On the rear (east) various wings and towers of diverse sizes and in different architectural styles enclose a centrally located small courtyard, to which the main entrance has been located since 1984. In the years 1727-1728 the building received its current form. Since 1984 it has been in use as a municipal office. Prior to this new function it was restored in 1982-1983. The restoration was supervised by the architectural firm Heineman-Vos-Ten Broeke B.V. from Velp and carried out by the firm Woudenberg B.V. from Zutphen.

The core of the current main building, a rectangular, brick building seven window bays wide, consisting of two storeys and a roof storey under a continuous hipped roof with glazed, muffled Old Dutch tiles (existing slate roof was replaced in 1982-1983 after 19th-century photographs), dates from the 16th century. The symmetrical front facade has a shallow projecting central section three bays wide, consisting of a decorative, natural stone-faced, whitewashed central axis (18th century, first half) with entrance section and window framed by pilaster systems and crowned by a superstructure with alliance arms (Van Heeckeren and Van Lynden) and clock. On either side of the central axis narrow multi-light windows. The entrance consists of double glass doors with small glazing bars and is accessed via an arch bridge (1708) and staircase bordered by a simple wrought-iron balustrade. In the front and left (north) side facade sash windows in Empire style, at cellar level multi-light two-light windows. On the roof a wooden bell tower with open arch construction under a four-sided cupola roof, covered with slates. The bell (1760), made by C.W. Voigt, strikes on the half hour. It is controlled by a mechanical tower clock from Paris (c. 1908). On the front furthermore roof dormers with curved fronton. Adjacent to the right side (south) of the building block stands a heavy tower on rectangular ground plan in Renaissance style, consisting of two storeys and an attic under a four-sided flattened cupola roof, covered with slates and crowned by an octagonal, wooden lantern. On the eaves list the date 1572 is inscribed in commemoration of the construction, or of a rebuilding. Hard stone blocks mark the corners and window openings. Above the windows triangular, hard stone frontals with shell filling. Horizontal hard stone bands articulate the facade surfaces. During the 1982-83 restoration the Empire windows were replaced by sash windows with smaller glazing bars. The facade surfaces of the lantern on the roof are provided alternately with multi-light windows and fields with panels with arch-shaped terminations. The octagonal, slate-covered cupola roof is crowned by an ornamental weather vane with the alliance arms of Van Heeckeren and Van Lynden. Around the lantern a simple iron balustrade. The southern wing on the rear dates from the 17th or early 18th century (drawing by C. Pronk, 1732) and consists of two storeys and an attic under a gabled roof, covered with glazed, muffled Old Dutch tiles. The end gable (east) is terminated by a 19th-century stepped gable. The facades are provided with sash windows in Empire style, at cellar height latticed two-light windows with multi-light panes. At the top of the stepped gable an 'oeil de boeuf' and ornamental wall anchors. Against the south side of the wing two slender towers under a multi-sided hipped roof, covered with slates, which are presumed to have been added in the 19th century for accommodating sanitary facilities. In these towers slender spiral stairs with ornamental, cast-iron balustrade from the end of the 19th century. Against the facades of wing and towers buttresses up to half the height of the cellar windows. The northern wing on the rear likewise dates from the 17th or early 18th century (drawing by C. Pronk, 1732). Today this part consists of two storeys under a gabled roof covered with glazed, muffled tiles. The second storey was added in 1982-1983 after the example of a drawing by C. Pronk from 1732. The wing terminates in a partially free-standing tower on rectangular ground plan, consisting of three storeys under a helm roof, covered with slates and crowned by a weather vane. Wing and tower are provided with windows as in the main block.

The interior of Huis Ruurlo has remained remarkably well preserved. It reflects the various building phases, with emphasis on the 18th century (baroque and rococo). The historical finishes of the rooms generally consist of 18th-century panelling (sometimes with internal shutters and window seats), stucco ceilings (18th and 19th centuries), overdoor decorations and chimney breasts with chimney breast panelling and chimneypiece (18th and 19th centuries). The 18th-century stucco ceilings are of high quality and many are dated, the ceilings of the ground floor and first floor in the south-western tower in 1706, and the ceilings of a room and a cabinet in the southern wing in 1717. Also noteworthy is the special rococo stucco ceiling executed in high relief in the present wedding hall (north-west corner). In the same room furthermore a tile stove with representations of the Vestal Virgins. In the hall particularly large marble slabs on the floor. In the basement former kitchens with fitted cupboards under various types of vaults. The main staircase presumably dates from the beginning of the 18th century, but was provided with a new balustrade with elegant cast-iron balusters at the end of the 19th century. In 1982-1983 a lift shaft was installed and the former kitchens were fitted out as meeting and canteen spaces.

Valuation MAIN BUILDING HUIS RUURLO, belonging to the historic country estate Ruurlo is of general cultural-historical and architectural importance:

- On account of its age;

- On account of its building and development history, which is representative of many medieval noble residences;

- On account of its architectural design, which is the result of c. 500 years of extension and (re)building;

- On account of its virtually original ground plan and layout;

- On account of its well-preserved interior finishes from the various building phases.

- On account of its characteristic location within the original 17th-century park layout;

- On account of the functional-spatial relationship with the other components of the country estate.