Although Assumburg Castle may look defendable, this castle is all about appearances. It was built in the late 15th century. By that time role of castles in the Netherlands as defensive strongholds was over. Castles were still being built but only as comfortable homes. But to show off his power, status or descent the builder of Assumburg Castle gave the castle this look.

And status, of course, was everything. As this little tale connected to the castle tells.
In 1487 the son of the Lord of Assumburg goes to study in Orleans in France. There he takes lodgings at an inn. Due to circumstances he is compelled to marry the daughter of the innkeeper. After he returns to Assumburg Castle he feels ashamed for the ordinary descent of his new wife, and so his wife is put up in a separate house while he stays at the castle. But all too soon he regrets his youthful lapse even more, because he discovers that his new wife has started to forge coins, together with her servants and chaplain. Forgery being a capital crime in those days, they are all killed.

Around 1546 the castle was renovated by Gerrit van Assendelft and kept being used as a lords home for centuries. In the early 20th century the castle became a youth hostel, which it still is today.

The castle therefore has never seen action nor could it have withstood any siege because of its thin walls.

Location and contact information

At Tolweg 9 in Heemskerk, tel.nr. 0251-232288.
Only accessible for guests of the Hostel.

Assumburg Castle Links

• Stayokay Hostels
• Haunted Castles of the Netherlands
• Middeleeuwse kastelen in de kop van Noord-Holland
• Castles on the Web
• Burgenwelt
• Mathieu in Wonderland

Assumburg Castle as drawn around 1647 by R. Roghman.

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