Kasteel Well is located in the historical village of Well in southeastern
Holland near the German border, not far from where we are staying in Gijerstern. An ancient
“sweet water” well, within a watchtower built in 975 A.D, encased by a 14th century castle, surrounded by
a double mote, once was the domain of Duke Geldern in 1275 AD.
Inspired by the Crusades, the Duke envisioned
the castle as a place of sanctuary inspiration and personal quest. Since 1275 ten regal families have lived in the castle until 1905 when family members had to sell
it.
The German Army seized the castle during WWII, used it initially
as a command center and then as a hospital for Nazi soldiers. Allied bomber crews were imprisoned there
until they could be taken to P.O.W. camps.
After the war, the castle became a refuge and temporary shelter for
thousands of people who returned to the village of Well without a place to
live.
Today, Kasteel Well is a Dutch National Monument and a place of
learning. Emerson College, in Boston,
purchased it in 1988 as their “study abroad” campus. I saw two Emerson students
walking around the castle campus mote today and I asked one of them: “Do you like studying here?”
She said, “I’m not sure. There’s
some bad vibes. Nazis used to stay here
and there’s still an old weggie board inside, so you can definitely contact the
devil.”
I left it at that and rode back to the village where I’m staying,
wondering if the castle was indeed haunted.
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