The Oude Loo castle was built in the 15th century. In 1684, the castle and the surrounding land was bought by William III of Orange. On this land, he had Het Loo Palace built. The castle was used by the court, among other things as an apothecary. In the 19th century the castle came in the hands of Louis Napoleon who filled up the moat. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands had the castle and the moat restored by architect Pierre Cuypers. Since 1968, the castle is owned by the Dutch state. Since 1973, it is a national heritage site. The castle is currently used by the Dutch Royal Family as a country house and guest residence.
The castle park construction began in the 17th century. Paths, ponds and alternating open spaces and groves of trees have been used to create a varied natural-looking landscape. The western and northern parts were heathland when they were purchased in the 19th century. They were sown to Scots pine and are now varied forest areas interspersed with patches of heath. In this part of the park is an old meltwater valley formed in the most recent ice age, Wilhelmina's Valley. Many of the numerous cultural heritage elements in the park have been restored. Recently, part of the park underwent a makeover to a design by the landscape architect Michael van Gessel.
References:The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.