Sunrise at the Muiderslot by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

Muiderslot is a medieval castle in the northern Dutch town of Muiden, about 15 kilometres southeast of Amsterdam, and it is among the most famous castles in the Netherlands. Muiderslot was built around 1285 with defence and toll collection as its purpose, and over the years the castle has been alternately used, inhabited, occupied, demolished, rebuilt and refurbished.

It has been a state museum since 1878, and shortly before 1878 it was completely dilapidated and even almost demolished. That didn't happen thanks to the interference of King William I. The castle was restored under the direction of architect Pierre Cuypers. You might know him from Central Station or the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

The castle is a square moated castle. On each corner of the castle is a round tower and within the walls is a large building with stepped gables. The castle has a moat with a drawbridge. Surrounding the castle are a restored kitchen garden and a herb garden, among others. The castle was built at the mouth of the Vecht in the Zuiderzee, where today is the IJmeer. Right next to the castle is Muiden with its harbour.

One of the most famous former residents of the Muiderslot is poet and playwright Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft. The writer and Amsterdam mayor's son was appointed bailiff of Gooiland and drost of Muiden in 1609 and subsequently took up residence in the Muiderslot, which was in rather poor condition at the time. P.C. Hooft had the castle thoroughly renovated and made sure he could live comfortably, according to the standards of the Golden Age. P.C. Hooft lived at Muiderslot for a total of almost thirty-eight years.