The most famous medieval castle in the Netherlands is the Muiderslot National Museum. This fortress at the mouth of the River Vecht was built around 1280 by Count Floris V. Immediately afterwards, in 1296, the castle was destroyed by Bishop Willem van Mechelen. In 1380, the new castle was built on the ruins of the previous one. Today, almost 600 years later, the castle is in excellent condition. The Muiderslot has served as the court of justice, prison and official residence of the castle’s inhabitants. Among the most famous inhabitants is the author and poet, P.C. Hooft, a man whose name many know and associate with Amsterdam’s exclusive shopping street, the P.C. Hooftstraat. He lived in the castle from 1609 to 1674. During this period, the Muiderslot became an important centre for science and the arts and the meeting place for a group of distinguished citizens known as the Muiderkring (Muider Circle).
