Muiderslot castle

Have you ever wondered how a real castle looks from the inside? How the age of chivalry was like? About knights? Then the Muiderslot castle is the place to go! The Muiderslot castle is mighty and impressive with its 4 towers, massive walls and entrance bridge. The Golden Age comes alive when you wander through the castle. The room from the Lord of the land, Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581-1647), also referred to as P.C. Hooft, looks like he can walk in any time. It is completely furnished in 17th century style. Also other rooms are furnished in the same style.

Outside the castle you will find nice gardens where you can go for a walk to view the castle from there. From April to October there is even a falconer at the castle with demonstrations with birds of prey. The big owl with orange eyes is huge. But there is also small cute owl which you may hold on your hand. When you are at the castle it is definately worth visiting the falconer who is very friendly and will tell you everything about birds of prey.

In the castle there are not only furnished rooms to visit, there are also other parts of the castle which can be explored. There is a spacious courtyard with a small souvenir shop, restaurant and nice terrace to relax. The towers can be explored and even a dungeon. There is an exposition about knights and a lot of information is provided at the different places in the castle.

Explanation of the name Muiden and Muiderslot

The Muiderslot, built in 1280, is located in Muiden, a little town south-east of Amsterdam. The name Muiden is derived from the Old German word mui, meaning mouth. Muiden is situated at the mouth of the river Vecht, which flows into the IJmeer, what used to be the Zuiderzee (Southsea).

History

Count Floris V built the castle in 1280 to take control of the trade route to Utrecht. He built a chain over the mouth of the river Vecht so all traders were forced to pay toll to pass. In 1296 count Floris V was imprisoned in his own castle by Geeraerdt van Velsen, because he ordered the execution of Van Velsen's brother on false charges. Floris V managed to escape from the castle but was killed while fleeing. It is not clear what exactly happened in the 70 years after his dead. One story is that it was abandoned and the other story tells that is was demolished on behalf of the bishop of Utrecht and then rebuilt by the Duke of Bavaria (also Count of Holland).

The northeast wing was built in 1386. With this wing the castle looked more or less as it looks now.

In 1433 the castle falls in the hands of the "Burgundian house" (Bourgondische Huis). The keeper of the castle, Lodewijk van Montfoort, had ornaments added to the Muiderslot.

Some 30 years later the Burgundian ruler Karel de Stoute stays in the castle occasionally, but after his death in 1477, the city of Amsterdam takes on the role of keeper of he castle.

At the end of the 15th century the city of Amsterdam decides to build a moat around the castle.

Later on, the drost (lord of the land) of Muiden, also the bailiff of het Gooi (the region surrounding the castle) becomes a permanent resident of the castle.

In 1609 Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, (1581-1647), son of the mayor of Amsterdam, is appointed to take over the sheriff and bailiff duties for the Gooi region. P.C. Hooft is one of the most important writers of the 17th century, and also a poet and historian. The Amsterdam 'upper-class' regularly visits the castle. In the 19th century, P.C. Hooft's circle of friends is given the name Muiderkring. The most important artists, musicians, and scientists of the so called Golden Century (17th century) were part of his network of friends. Amongst them were Bredero, Huygens en Vondel. P.C. Hooft also worked on the castle, extending the garden and orchard, while putting a defense system into place.

In 1672 the French invaded the country. The defense system around the castle is fortified, sacrificing the gardens around the castle.

In 1795, when the Batavian Republic was established, all government employees lost their job, including the keeper of the Muiderslot castle. The castle is then transformed to a state prison, and later also used as barracks, and ammunition depot.

In 1824, the Department of War had the building cleared and transfered ownership to the Domeinen, a government institution. The new owner, Domeinen fails to find a use for the neglected Muiderslot castle. Not surprisingly, a year later in 1825 the castle is put up for sale, with the purpose of being demolished.

This was met with resistance of the locals who regarded the Muiderslot castle as an important national monument. Ultimately it was King William I who intervened and prevented the sale of the castle.

In 1878 the castle's ownership is transfered to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more specifically, the Art and Sciences Department.

There were plans to turn it into the national historical museum, but these plans were not carried out. Instead the Muiderslot castle becomes a museum, or maybe even a memorial for the most important resident the castle ever had, P.C. Hooft.

In 1895, after enough money was gathered, the architect Berden reconstructed the castle to what he thought to be its original medieval state. Paintings were placed in the castle, depicting the castle's history in the 17th century and portraits of the Muiderkring members.

In 1954, a second restoration phase takes place. It turned out that Berden's restoration (in 1895) didn't correspond with the castle's state in the 17th century. On initiative of castle keeper Ton Koot this second restoration takes place to finally restore the castle to its original state in medieval times, with a nice collection of arms, armour and paintings.

In 2003 the Muiderslot castle celebrated its 125th year as a museum.

More information

The information on the history from the Muiderslot comes from the website http://www.castlesofmedievaltimes.com/

You may also find information on the website from the Muiderslot castle although this website is in dutch: http://www.muiderslot.nl/