Jan Herman van Heek was passionate about history. At a very young age, on travels through Germany, he became acquainted with medieval architecture. He describes his fascination of the Middle Ages: ‘It was an era in which man was still part of a greater whole and in which godly leadership was the inspiring force of life and of all great works’. On acquiring the estate, Van Heek not only became the owner of a castle, but of a great number of medieval buildings as well. To name but a few: the mint, located opposite the castle, and the tower mill in nearby Zeddam. He saved many historic buildings from decay, such as Doornenburg Castle near Bemmel and the monastery church in Elten, not far from here, just across the border. His father kindled a great love and knowledge of nature in the young Jan Herman. Vast areas of natural beauty both in the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland and beyond, such as the Naardermeer near Amsterdam, were preserved with Van Heek’s financial aid.