Maarssen Castle

Maarssen Castle was a former castle situated in the town of the same name, in the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands.

A fortified residence was probably first built here in 1083 by Emeritus van der Meer. The castle was first mentioned as 'Huys ter Meer' in 1394, when a member of the Van der Meer family was enfeoffed with it. It remained in the hands of this family until 1457, when it was transferred to Jacob van Amerongen.

In 1525, the Van Amerongen family sold the castle to the Teutonic Order. Its bailiff, Steven van Zuylen van Nijevelt, significantly expanded, strengthened, and decorated the castle. Although he also changed its name to 'Zuylenburg Castle,' it also became known as Maarssen Castle.

Maarssen Castle was granted the status of a knightly manor in 1536. From 1546 until 1788, the castle remained in the hands of the Van Meertens van Esschenstein family and their descendants. In 1672, after the outbreak of the Franco-Dutch War, the castle was plundered and burned by French troops, leaving it a ruin.

In the early 18th century, the medieval castle remains were cleared, and a new mansion was built on the site. By 1903, that mansion had fallen into disrepair and was subsequently demolished. Its grounds were divided and completely built over with houses.

Today, nothing remains of Maarssen Castle, and the site where it once stood is now a residential area.

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