#54 & #124 Muiderslot (Muiden Castle)
Muiden, The Netherlands
1280 & 1370-1386
This is NOT an official Lego site

Muiderslot was originally built about 1280 by Floris V, Count of Holland and Zeeland from 1256 [at the age of 2!] to 1296. The castle was built to control boat traffic and level tolls at Ijsselmeer Harbor, at the convergence of the Vecht and Ijssel Rivers, an area previously controlled by the Bishops (also Princes) of Utrecht. His reign was highlighted by attacks on the Frisians, who had killed his father and still had his body, kindness to his peasants, and endless political shenanigans by his nobles, King Edward I of England and others.  When Edward I switched his wool trade from Holland to Brabant, Floris switched sides to France. In a plot by Edward I and Guy of Flanders, Floris was captured while falconing by some of his own nobles in 1296, and taken to Muiderslot.  A peasant mob came to rescue him, but he died of knife wounds as the nobles fled to the protection of the Bishops five days later. About 1300 the castle was razed by the same Bishops.
The current castle was rebuilt from 1370 to 1386 by Albert I, Duke of Bavaria and Count of Holland and Zeeland, following the original plan of the castle. However, Albert added the northeast wing, making the castle more residential. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, lived in the castle while Governor of The Netherlands.  Famed historian, poet and playwright P. C. Hooft based an artistic renaissance at Muiderslot when he lived there as Sheriff of Het Gooiland from 1613 until his death in 1647. After serving as a state prison in the late 18th century, the castle decayed to the point of demolition until it was saved by King Willem I in 1825.  After 70 years of fundraising, the castle restored and now houses a Rijksmuseum.  Note the lily-covered moat and earthen artillery bastions in the photo on the upper left.

 

 

Photos of the Lego Model
under construction in October 2008
East View
South View
North View


Photos of the Lego Model
Built November 1994
Southeast View
South View
East View
West Northwest View


Photos of the Lego Model
Built November-December 2008
Southeast View
Southsouthwest View
Northnortheast View
Northeast View
East View
Courtyard looking east
Courtyard looking north
Courtyard looking south


Build Your Own
These are the plans for the smaller 1994 model. If you want to see
plans for the new model, just look below, as of October 9, 2017.
Lego Plan
Southeast Elevation Southwest Elevation Northeast Elevation

Southeast Section Southwest Section Detail Elevation


Thanks to the interest of Boudewijn Beijer of Groningen, here are my elevations
and two cross-sections for the 2008 model.  The plan is too large for me to scan
and piece together, but anyone who might wish to reproduce this fine castle
should have no problem with what's below.  Enjoy!

Southeast Elevation Southwest Elevation Northwest Elevation Northeast Elevation

Section looking northwest Section looking northeast


Other Muiderslot pages:
http://www.castles.nl/muid/muid.html
http://www.muiderslot.nl/
http://www.kasteleninnederland.com/kasteeldetails.php?id=70

Return to the
main castle page.

Castles created by
Robert Carney
Page created & maintained by
Robert Carney