The manor house, with the bust of emperor Wilhelm II
Entrance building of Doorn Manor
In the village Doorn is an old manor house, known as Huis Doorn (Doorn Manor). The house has a long history (going back to medieval times), but its main claim to fame is its last inhabitant, who settled here in 1920: Wilhelm II, the last German emperor.
The first world war (1914-1918) ended disastrously for Germany, and many Germans blamed their emperor for it. Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate and he fled the country. He applied for asylum in the Netherlands, a country that was neutral before, during and after the war. The asylum was granted, and two years later he settled in Doorn Manor.
The mausoleum of German emperor Wilhelm II
The emperor lived here for over twenty years, until his death in 1941. He was buried in a mausoleum on the estate – temporarily, until the German monarchy is restored. That has not happened, so the emperor is still in his mausoleum.
The emperor’s grave is not the only grave you can see in the manor’s gardens: Near the house you can see five small graves for the emperor’s beloved dachshund dogs. His favorite dog, Senta, died in 1927, 20 years old. The inscription on the dog’s stone reads: The loyal Senta, 1907-1927. Accompanied His Majesty the Emperor in the world war 1914-1918.
Gilded cross on top of the mausoleum
The house is left largely as it was during the time the emperor lived in it. It is now a museum and open to the public, the gardens are freely accessible.
The house can be reached by bus from train station Driebergen-Zeist (which is on the line Utrecht-Arnhem), or by car. Visit their website for opening times, admission fees etc.
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