23 March 2024 , 20:00
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Lord Gregorius, as Gerry Halman likes to call himself, has spent the last 34 years making the mediaeval-style building complete with turrets, ramparts and an imposing front gate and even mannequins
A pensioner has revealed his amazing garden project, an 85-foot-high castle complete with towers and guards.
Retired Gerry Halman has spent the last 34 years making the mediaeval-style building and staffing it with costumed mannequins for added realism. The impressive structure features turrets, ramparts and an imposing front gate.
But Lord Gregorius, as Gerry likes to call himself, says the massive building is still unfinished. Gerry has worked on the structure almost single-handedly for decades, ensuring it was constructed with great attention to detail.
The replica castle boasts several storeys, a main hall, suits of armour, and even an underground cellar. “I’m really a fan of history,” Gerry explained.
Constructed with great attention to detail, Gerry has worked on the structure almost single-handedly ( Image: Jam Press)
“I’ve visited many castles, but at some point, that wasn’t enough. “I had to start building one myself. I always get inspiration for my work through books and visiting other castles.”
He is particularly inspired by Romanesque architecture, he explained. However, he admitted that the castle may not be completed in his own lifetime. “The castle is never finished,” Gerry explained. “I don’t have any construction drawings because everything is in my head,” he added.
Castle Olt Stoutenburght is located in Gerry’s garden in the village of Blesdijke about 70 miles northeast of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. Gerry is building the castle on an underlying layer of Ice Age clay on his land.
Gerry said that he used to own a fancy dress store and used mannequins from his old job to decorate the impressive structure. He has dressed the mannequins up as tower guards and even damsels in distress.
Gerry allows others to enjoy his creation and Castle Olt Stoutenburght is available to rent for parties and weddings on a limited basis.
Meanwhile, in the UK pensioner Graham Wildin is currently locked in a row over his massive “man cave” built in his back garden, which features a bowling alley and cinema. The 10,000 square foot hideaway in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, also boasts features of a casino and games room, all built without planning permission.
After building it in 2014, 70-year-old Mr Wildin was issued with a court order to decommission the building, which he failed to obey, subsequently serving a six-week jail sentence for contempt of court. He’s also lost a string of other court cases to keep the building.