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Many people associate the medieval era with knights fighting against dragons to rescue a young maiden. In fact the mediaval era was just a long period of chaos, diseases and wars. Nevertheless Europe is still characterized by castles, citywalls and old tales of bravery. Some of which can be found a few miles east from Amsterdam, at the Muiderslot. A beautiful castle with surrounding lands.

This castle was originally built in 1280, by Count Floris V. It dominated the local waterways towards the important city of Utrecht, to make traders pay toll.

Murder she wrote...

At June 27th, 1296 Count Floris V was captured by Gijsbrecht van Amstel (the lord of the Amsterdam area, where ruins of his castle have recently been excavated) during a hunting session. Floris V was then held as prisoner in his own castle. The reasons for this are still not totally proven, but it probably has to do with alliances of Gijsbrecht with Brabant, Flandre and England, whereas Floris V used to support the English, but later supported the French, in Floris' quest to expand his power and land, an example of early geo-politics...
When Floris attempted to escape he was murdered by his own squire, Gerard van Velzen. The Flemish bishop of Mechelen then destroyed the castle.

100 years later the castle was rebuilt on the same location, from then on it wasn't the headquarters anymore of local lords. It merely was used just as a castle to defend the lands of the ruler of the moment.

In the 16th century the castle became the residence of a famous Dutch renaissance author, P.C. Hooft, who also created large gardens around the castle, which are still present today.

Today this castle is accessible for public, the website is in Dutch only, so I will provide the necessary information here:

Tickets 2006 (April 1st - Juli 1st):
Adults: € 7,00
Kids 4-12 years old: € 5,00

Opened from April - October:
- Monday till Frjday: 10.00-17.00
- Saturday and Sundays: 12.00-18.00.

November - March:
- Saturday and Sundays: 12.00-18.00.

Contact:
Stichting Rijksmuseum Muiderslot
Herengracht 1
1398 AA Muiden
T: 0294-256262
E-mail : kasteel@muiderslot.nl

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