Abcoude Castle

Abcoude Castle is a former castle which was situated south of the village of the same name, in the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

When and by whom exactly Abcoude Castle was built is not known. It may have been built by Zweder I van Zuylen, who started to call himself 'van Abcoude', possibly after a marriage with a Hendrika van Abcoude. He was first mentioned in 1268. He also founded Duurstede Castle. The castle was first mentioned in 1273, when it was destroyed during the Kennemer Revolt by Gijsbrecht IV of Amstel.

The castle was rebuilt in 1328. In 1407 it was inherited by Jacob van Gaasbeek, son of Zweder III van Zuylen van Abcoude. He died without issue in 1459 and Abcoude Castle passed to David of Burgundy, Bishop of Utrecht. The bishop and his successors resided in Duurstede Castle and had Abcoude cared for by stewards. The States of Utrecht took over ownership from the bishops in 1529.

Abcoude Castle was garrisoned by soldiers during the Franco-Dutch War in 1672, who protected it from damage by French troops. After the French danger had passed they left and the castle was neglected by the States of Utrecht. By 1704 it was described as dilapidated. The castle was sold by the States of Utrecht in 1715, to a Theodorus de Leeuw. He had the castle partly restored and used it as a country residence until his death in 1744.

Several other owners followed but they weren't interested in the unfashionable medieval castle and neglected it. It slowly fell into dilapidation until it was completely uninhabitable and ruined around 1800. From then on the castle ruin became a stone quarry and in 1860 it last remains were levelled.

At present nothing of Abcoude Castle remains above ground. Only part of its former moat remains. The site is now occupied by grassland.

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