Vorden was a former town and municipality in the eastern part of the Netherlands, located about 10 kilometers southeast of Zutphen. On January 1, 2005, Vorden merged with the municipalities of Hummelo en Keppel, Steenderen, Hengelo en Zelhem to create the new municipality of Bronckhorst.

The town is crossed by the road connecting Zutphen to Ruurlo (N319) and by the Baak creek, which is locally known as Vorden Creek. This creek flows into the IJssel river. Vorden is also situated along the Zutphen–Winterswijk railway line, which opened in 1878. The line includes a central station located on Station Road.

The town of Vorden

The name "Vorden" first appeared in written records from the year 1121 AD. For many years, the town was mainly focused on farming. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, this began to change as more industries and independent businesses started to grow.

Vorden is famous for having eight castles: Vorden (which was used as a town hall), Onstein, Medler, Hackfort, Kieftskamp, Wierse, Wildenborg, and Den Bramel.

The area around Vorden is known for holding horse-related events from time to time. These include an annual fox hunt, which has now been replaced by drag hunting in late autumn.

History

In the Middle Ages, Vorden began near the "Vordensche" brook, close to house Vorden. The village's name likely comes from the word "Voorde," which means a place where a river can be crossed. In 1235, Vorden became its own parish. Until 2005, Vorden was an independent town. However, due to a reorganization of local government, on January 1, 2005, Vorden merged with the nearby towns of Hummelo and Keppel, Steenderen, Hengelo, and Zelhem to form the new town of Bronckhorst. Other areas that were part of the old Vorden town included Delden, Kranenburg, Linde, Medler, Mossel, Veldwijk, Vierakker, Wichmond, Wientjesvoort, and Wildenborch.

In 2014, the center of Vorden was changed. Some roads were moved, and in certain areas, sidewalks were made wider. Trees were planted, and a new parking area was created for people who park for long periods.

Castle village

Vorden is famous for having eight castles, making it one of the villages with the most castles in the Netherlands. House Vorden is located on the edge of the village, while the other seven castles are arranged in a circle around it.

House Vorden was first recorded in 1315. In 1580, during the Eighty Years' War, it was taken by force and repaired thirty years later. In 1976, it was restored and used as a town hall. In 2004, the local government sold the castle to a private person. Since then, it has been used for weddings.

Hackfort Castle was first mentioned in 1324. After a fire in 1586, during the Eighty Years' War, it was rebuilt. The current front of the castle, designed in Louis XVI style, was added in 1788. Today, the castle is divided into apartments.

Castle Den Bramel was first mentioned in 1396, and another version from about 1645. Little remains of these older versions. The current building was mainly constructed between 1720 and 1726.

Kieftskamp Castle, designed in Louis XV style, was built in 1776. It was expanded in 1920 and 1930.

Wildenborch Castle was once a large house, first mentioned in 1372. After damage in 1490, it was rebuilt between 1523 and 1533. In the 17th century, it was mostly destroyed. The remaining gate tower was later used in a new house built in 1782. The son of the owners, poet Anthony Staring, lived there from 1791 to 1840. A rebuilding project in 1847 was removed in 1931.

De Wiersse Castle was first mentioned in 1288. It was rebuilt in 1681 and underwent renovations in the 18th century and in 1925.

Castle Onstein, designed in Louis XIV style, was built in 1711 on the site of a house from 1613. It is now owned by Hans Melchers.

Medler Castle is a large house from the 17th century that was renovated several times.

Enzerinck Castle is a neoclassical country house built between 1835 and 1836. The Wientjesvoort, built in 1850, has the same style.

Public Services

Shops and Supermarkets: Most stores in Vorden are located on Dorpsstraat, Zutphenseweg, Burgemeester Galleestraat, and Raadhuisstraat. These streets have several supermarkets, drug stores, and clothing stores.

Weekly Market: Every Friday morning, a market happens in the center of Vorden near the N.H. Church. The market includes stalls selling fish, bread, and food.

Schools: Vorden has five primary schools: Dorpsschool (public), Vordering (Catholic), Hoge (Christian), Kraanvogel (neighborhood Kranenburg), and Hofakker, which opened in autumn 2014 and follows an anthroposophical educational approach. The town also has a secondary school called 't Beeckland (VMBO), which is part of the Ulenhof College in Doetinchem.

Cycling and Walking routes

• The Eight-Castle Route is 33 kilometers long and has eight castles along the path.
• The Berend Route is a 20-kilometer bike path that goes around Vorden.
• The Pieterpad passes through Vorden. It starts in Pieterburen on the Groningen Wadden Sea coast and ends near Maastricht at Sint-Pietersberg.
• The Trekvogelpad, or Migratory Bird Route, crosses the Pieterpad in Vorden near Castle Vorden. It goes from Bergen aan Zee to Enschede.

• Vorden, Church: Antoniuskerk
• Vorden, Windmill: There is a windmill in Vorden.