Discover Holland's Castles! (2)

Muiderslot Castle

The country's most famous Medieval castle is the Rijksmuseum Muiderslot in North Holland's Muiden. This stronghold on the estuary of the Vecht was built around 1280 by Count Floris V, but in 1296 it was destroyed by Bishop Willem van Mechelen. Count Floris V. had a clear purpose in mind when he built the castle: to oblige all traders to pay tolls as this was the only way to go to Utrecht. However this did not last too long as 16 years later (1296) the count was imprisoned in his own castle and killed in his attempt to escape.

After count Floris V. died, it is presumed that nobody lived in the castle until Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria (also Count of Holland) renovated (or maybe even rebuilt) the castle (70 years later).

The "Burgundian house" are the new inhabitants of the castle in 1433
After the death of the Burgundian ruler Karel de Stoute (1477), the capital city, Amsterdam starts keeping the castle. Up to this day, the castle built in 1370 (on the remains of the first castle) can be seen in its perfect shape. The Muiderslot played several roles: official residence, courthouse and national prison. One of the most famous castellan was the writer and poet P.C. Hooft, (1609 to 1674).

Surrounded by a superb castle moat, The Muiderslot castle can be visited for most part of the year.

Het Loo Palace

Located near Apeldoorn, the Het Loo Palaced was the home of the Royal House of Orange for three centuries from William and Mary to the time of Queen Wilhelmina . It is a museum today and if you appreciate beauty and quality in one place, here is where you will surely see them! The rooms of the palace will give you that feeling exquisite elegance, of luxury with royal generosity in furniture, in paintings in all the objects displayed as ornaments, it is simply overwhelming. The paintings depict the domestic life of the royal family in vibrant representations that must be seen rather than talked about.

The garden itself is quite a site too! It has parts where you can see the mastery of the Baroque style designers in the lushly sculptured bushes and trees all restored to the original design they had in the 17th century. The straight paths where the trees hug their crowns above the way are an amazing site! They tell a never ending story and you wonder, "What’s there at the end of the pathway?"

The museum exposes historical objects, silver, porcelain, also royal garments as well as court costumes . Hunting coaches and carriages, veteran cars and sleighs are all to be seen in the royal stables exhibition

Yes the palace itself as well as its gardens are worth the effort of visiting. The royal park is worthy of its name indeed!

Up to this day, if you want to taste some royal lavishness come for a visit here and you’ll not be disappointed!

Sypesteyn Castle

Located near Nieuw-Loosdrecht, Utrecht (Netherlands) the Sypesteyn Castle is another castle which became a museum. The art collection is what makes this castle distinctiveness. Esquire C.H.C.A. van Sypesteyn (1857 - 1937) was the collector of this impressive and valuable exhibition which is the main attraction of the museum. In addition to the collection of portraits, furniture, silver and glass objects, clocks and sculptures, there is a fine porcelain collection. Particularly the local porcelain- Loosdrecht porcelain- is highly appreciated.

Respecting the style of the 17th century the park and surroundings of the castle add an important note of Romanism. If you want a castle wedding, this is a place where your dream can become true!

Zeist Castle

Built in the French baroque style in an attempt to become a Versailles in miniature Zeist Castle has a particular and special story. In 1745 the castle was bought by Cornelis Schellinger, who was a member of the Evangelical Brotherhood (Moravians) and since, the footprints of this community left a beautiful mark trough their deeds. It is worth mentioning that it is here where the first department store came to life. Influential personalities in the world visited this store, people like Tsar Alexander I and as Napoleon’s wife. Up to this day, this tradition is kept and you can find several specialty shops well-known in the whole country.
Although the castle belongs to the Zeist Town Council today, its interior has been adapted as much as possible to the time of its origin (the 17th century), and includes large mirrors, furniture and portraits.