Brederode Castle

Santpoort-Zuid, Netherlands, Netherlands

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Brederode Castle in Santpoort-Zuid, Netherlands, was founded in the late 13th century around 1285 by William I van Brederode as a simple tower, soon expanded into a square castle on a strategic beach ridge amid dunes and peatlands.

Repeatedly besieged and damaged during the Hook and Cod wars—in 1351 by Cod supporters and again in 1426 by Haarlem forces—it was partially rebuilt but plundered by German mercenaries in 1492 and Spanish troops in 1573 during the Eighty Years' War, falling into ruin thereafter and buried under drifting sands.

Owned by the powerful Brederode family until 1679, when the last heir died childless, it became state property and was excavated and restored in the 19th century as the Netherlands' first national monument, now a romantic ruin drawing visitors to its evocative site.