By the start of the 19th century, Muiden Castle was in decline and crumbling. Plans were being drawn up to demolish the site and sell of its stones

Muiden Castle was built around 1280 by Count Floris V of Holland, to control the estuary of the river Vecht into the former Zuidersea. In 1296 Count Floris was taken prisoner and held captive within his own castle.

During attempts to rescue him, his captors fled towards Utrecht, taking the count with them. At some point during this dash for safety the Count was murdered.

There was no immediate successor to take over the castle in the counts name as his son was in England at the time. The bishop of Utrecht, Willem van Mechlen, took this opportunity to gain control of Muiden Castle. Once he had control, the bishop then went about destroying the very castle he seized.

The castle was rebuilt on the foundations of the previous one in 1370 by Duke Albrecht, Count of Holland. The castle was square in shape with four round corner towers. The castle was never used as a residence but as a court and state prison. It was only ever lived in by bailiffs.

P.C. Hoot, a well known Dutch writer, poet and historian lived in the castle between 1609 and 1647, entertaining a host of famous Dutch writers, artists and scholars during this time. They later went on to be known as the Muider Circle, after the castle.

Towards the end of the 17th century the castle was enlarged, and incorporated into a new earthwork fortress as part of the Old Holland Waterline and later as part of the New Holland Waterline.

By the start of the 19th century, the castle was in decline and had started to crumble. Plans were being drawn up to demolish the site and sell of its stones. King Willem I refused theses proposals after considerable protests, thus saving the castle for generations to come.

The castle was restored in 1895 and between 1948 and 1972 underwent further restoration work. Castle Muiden is now a state run museum and used for cultural events.

Tourist Information

Opening hours

The castle is open daily from 1.April to 31.October. Monday thourgh Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, on holidays and weekends from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Admission

Adults 7 Euro, children 4-12 year 5 Euro.