Location: Heemskerk
Slot Assumburg is a castle in the east of
Heemskerk. It probably dates from the 13th century, but was
renovated in 1546, and is named after the hamlet of Assum between
Heemskerk and Uitgeest. It is assumed that demolition material from
castle Oud Haerlem was used during the construction, but that is not
the case. The power that the castle radiates is also more apparent
than real. It is in fact an imitation of a medieval castle. The thin
walls would not have been able to withstand a siege. Such a castle
is usually called a coulissen castle.
Slot Assumburg has been
a noble residence for many centuries. A large number of different
genera have lived there. After 1867 the castle remained uninhabited.
The paneling and utensils were transferred to Marquette Castle. The
area also lost its former glory: the park around the castle
disappeared. From 1911 until January 15, 2016 it was owned by the
State. The lock was handed over to the state for one guilder with
the obligation to restore the lock. The restoration commissioned by
the Government Buildings Agency was finally completed around 1980.
The nearby orangery had already been restored around 1965. In 1933
the Assumburg was designated as a youth hostel.
With the
exception of a limited opening during the Heritage Days, the castle
itself is not publicly accessible. Next to the castle is the nature
and recreation park Assumburg, which was created in 2003. From 2009,
the 18th-century castle garden was restored to its original state
and opened to the public in 2011. The castle garden includes a fruit
orchard, a rosarium, a vegetable and herb garden and a large formal
area with a pond.
This monument was transferred to the
National Monuments Organization on January 15, 2016.
The castle was known in the 13th and 14th century as Willems Woninghe van Velsen and, as the name indicates, it was inhabited by the van Velsen family. Jan van Rietwijk, son of Willem van Rietwijk van Velsen, was lent in 1322 with half of the Assumburg. The other half already belonged to Barthout van Assendelft, who must therefore have been related to Jan van Rietwijk. On May 17, 1328 Jan sold his half of the Assumburg to Barthoud van Assendelft. Barthoud (I) then dedicated the entire Assumburg to Mr. Jan I van Polanen (owner of Oud Haerlem Castle), who lent it to him on 5 June 1335. Barthoud was married to Catharina, daughter of Dirk van den Wale, seneschal of Count Willem III. Dirk van den Wale was a bastard of Polans! Barthoud probably died in 1345. His eldest son Dirk (I) acquired the Assumburg, but died childless shortly afterwards, so that his younger brother Gerrit (II) could settle in this castle in 1348. This Gerrit had remained in relationship with the family of his old liege lords, the Van Haerlems: he married Stevina van Haarlem. Since then, the Van Assendelfts have incorporated the coat of arms of the Van Haerlems into theirs.
Their eldest son Barthoud (II) was exiled by Duke William VI. So brother Dirk (II) van Assendelft moved into the Assumburg in 1413 and even allowed himself to borrow it (April 20, 1421). The last male Van Assendelft to inhabit the Assumburg was Gerrit (VIII) (1567-1617) lord of Assendelft (1601), Assumburg, etc. Gerrit (VIII) remained unmarried. After his death, his sister Anna (II) received the Assumburg in fief (1618). She was married to Gerrit van Renesse van der Aa. Anna died in 1626. Renesses continued to live on the Assumburg for several decades, but in 1669 merchant Johannes Wuijtiers bought the castle.
When Jean Deutz bought the castle in 1694 after various owners, he had the Assumburg beautified according to the taste of the time: a French garden with water features and public gardens. The last Deutz was Jacob Maarten Deutz van Assendelft who lived at the castle and also died there (in 1858). When his wife Josina Johanna Willink died in Amsterdam in 1867, that was also the end of the Assumburg as a considerable country residence. An auction of the contents took place for fourteen days (October 1868). Land ownership was also disposed of. After being let for a year to Councilor Hugh Hope Loudon (1816-1891) from The Hague, the building was given various functions: in 1881 as a hospital during a cholera epidemic and later as a school. In 1906, Hugo Gevers van Marquette had the paneling of the main hall transferred to Marquette Castle. The marble chimneys and four doors with their frames were also brought there.
The almost ruined castle was sold to the State on September 18, 1911. It was decided to refurbish the building. A destination as a youth hostel guaranteed the social usefulness of the old castle. On July 15, 1933, the first young people found shelter there, unemployed youth hostel friends did a lot of work in the context of the restoration. During the 1940/45 war, the Germans camped in the castle. After the liberation, it served as a detention center for some thirty political prisoners.