Muiderslot Castle

We had a fun afternoon visiting this medevil castle right outside of Amsterdam. We walked along the castle wall and through the turets; up and down many stairs. The girls decided living in a castle like this would not be a 'fairytale.' It would be dark and cold. Tessa said she would much rather live in Sleeeping Beauty's castle.

The Muiderslot castle was built in 1280 by count Floris V. His objective was to take control of the trade route to Utrecht. From then on all traders using this trade route were forced to pay tolls at the Muiderslot castle.In 1296 he was imprisoned in his own castle by Geeraerdt van Velsen, because Floris V had ordered the execution of Van Velsen's brother on false charges. Floris V managed to escape from the castle but was killed while fleeing.It's not exactly clear what happened after the death of Floris V. It is said that the castle was abandoned for over 70 years until Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria (also Count of Holland) renovated the castle. Another possible scenario is that after the death of Floris V, the castle was demolished on behalf of the bishop of Utrecht. In this scenario the castle was completely rebuilt by Albrecht over 70 years later.With the addition of the northeast wing in 1386 the castle started looking more or less the way it currently still does.

Chris seemed to have a little too much fun as the Count of the Muiderslot, ordering his subjects around.