Isabella Mueller Baroness of Stainton le Vale
In the world of Dutch castles, there is hardly a place that holds as many secrets and surprises as Muiderslot Castle. This romantic moated castle, which rises majestically on the banks of the River Vecht in the picturesque town of Muiden, just 15 kilometers from Amsterdam, was built in 1285 on the orders of Count Floris V, Count of Holland and Zeeland. This architectural gem with its high walls, five imposing towers, battlements, moat, and arrow slits is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in the Netherlands, which is why it is also an extremely popular backdrop for TV and film productions set in the Middle Ages. The moated castle, which could have come straight out of a fairy tale, was built on the border between Holland and Utrecht. This is where the River Vecht flowed into the former Zuiderzee. It was a strategically important location for a customs station, which Count Floris V used to levy a fee on ships that wanted to sail up the Vecht from the Zuiderzee. It also served as a defensive position against enemies attempting to cross the Vecht from the Zuiderzee to Holland. The castle’s location at the mouth of the Vecht River where it flows into the IJsselmeer was strategically ideal. From here, it was possible to control shipping traffic on the water and organize the defense of the country, as Count Floris V was well aware. However, these were not the only reasons for choosing this location, as the count was allegedly under the influence of occult forces that inspired him to undertake this construction project. The fact is that Count Floris V was particularly popular with the dune farmers in North Holland, whom he granted the same rights as the flatland farmers in the rest of the country. This made him an enemy of the church and the nobility. During a falcon hunt, Count Floris V was kidnapped and held captive in his own Muiderslot castle. Word of this quickly spread, which is why the count was to be taken to another location. However, during his transport, the nobles were interrupted by angry farmers who wanted to come to the aid of their beloved count. A massacre ensued, in which Count Floris V suffered 20 stab wounds and died on the spot. The nobles Gijsbrecht van Amstel, Gerard van Velzen, Jan van Cuyk, and Herman van Wonderen were responsible for his murder on June 12, 1296. Allegedly, it was not only political reasons that led to the count’s death, as he was having an affair with the wife of the nobleman van Velzen. Since then, the murdered Count Floris V is said to haunt the castle. Anyone who enters Muiderslot Castle today, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 as part of the Amsterdam Defense Line, immediately senses the presence of an invisible entity that seems to roam the corridors and chambers. Legend has it that the ghost of the former murdered lord of the castle, Count Floris V, haunts the place. He is said to wander the corridors at night, seeking unexpected encounters with visitors to talk to them about his cruel murder. In addition to this legend of Count Floris V’s castle ghost, the ghost of the Dutch Shakespeare, poet and writer Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, who lived at Muiderslot Castle for 38 years during the Dutch Golden Age, is also said to haunt the castle. Muiderslot Castle, now a museum, is a place full of secrets. Every visit to this unique building promises new discoveries and adventures. Whether you are looking for the supernatural or simply want to explore the fascinating history of this place, Muiderslot Castle offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
