Assumburg Castle

Assumburg Castle, locally known as Kasteel Assumburg, lies in the town of Heemskerk, in the North Holland province in the Netherlands.

Although Assumburg Castle may look defensible, this castle is all about appearances. It was built in the late 15th century. By that time the 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 went to study in Orleans in France. There he took lodgings at an inn. Due to circumstances he was compelled to marry the daughter of the innkeeper. After he returned to Assumburg Castle he felt ashamed for the ordinary descent of his new wife, and so his wife was put up in a separate house while he stayed at the castle. But all too soon he regretted his youthful lapse even more, because he discovered that his new wife had started to forge coins, together with her servants and chaplain. Forgery being a capital crime in those days, they were all killed.

Around 1546 the castle was renovated by Gerrit van Assendelft and kept being used as a manor for centuries. In the early 20th century the castle became a youth hostel.

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

A nice castle which is at present used as a hostel.

Gallery