Belvoir, meaning beautiful view in French, dates back to Norman times.
“The name “Belvoir”, is in fact, a Norman import by the French-speaking conquerors, though the native Anglo-Saxon population was unable to pronounce such a foreign word, preferring to call it “Beaver Castle”. Belvoir Castle is still pronounced “Beaver” — despite its spelling — to this very day, which may actually go a long way to explaining the age-long animosity between the insulted French and the traditionalist English…” said Michael Zlatokovsky.
The castle was rebuilt by the wife of the 5th Duke of Rutland and this is when it gained its Gothic look. The architect James Wyatt was chiefly responsible for this restructuring, and the result is a building which bears a superficial resemblance to a medieval castle, its central tower reminiscent of Windsor Castle. The present Castle is the fourth building to have stood on the site since Norman times.
The Castle contains many notable pieces of art and includes paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Holbein and Poussin. It houses outstanding collections of furniture, porcelain, silks, tapestries, French furniture and Italian sculpture. Sculpture extends outside into the Rose and Statue Gardens which are elegantly laid out round a central fountain. The Statue Collection terraced into the hillside includes work by Caius, Cibber – Sculptor to Charles II.
Guided tours are free and available during the weekdays at 12.30pm and 2.30pm or for groups at pre-booked times to suit.
“The name “Belvoir”, is in fact, a Norman import by the French-speaking conquerors, though the native Anglo-Saxon population was unable to pronounce such a foreign word, preferring to call it “Beaver Castle”. Belvoir Castle is still pronounced “Beaver” — despite its spelling — to this very day, which may actually go a long way to explaining the age-long animosity between the insulted French and the traditionalist English…” said Michael Zlatokovsky.The castle was rebuilt by the wife of the 5th Duke of Rutland and this is when it gained its Gothic look. The architect James Wyatt was chiefly responsible for this restructuring, and the result is a building which bears a superficial resemblance to a medieval castle, its central tower reminiscent of Windsor Castle. The present Castle is the fourth building to have stood on the site since Norman times.
The Castle contains many notable pieces of art and includes paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Holbein and Poussin. It houses outstanding collections of furniture, porcelain, silks, tapestries, French furniture and Italian sculpture. Sculpture extends outside into the Rose and Statue Gardens which are elegantly laid out round a central fountain. The Statue Collection terraced into the hillside includes work by Caius, Cibber – Sculptor to Charles II.
Guided tours are free and available during the weekdays at 12.30pm and 2.30pm or for groups at pre-booked times to suit.
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