Marquettelaan 34
Heemskerk, North Holland
Tel. 025 125 70 25
Marquette Castle in Heemskerk was built on the foundations of the old roundel Slot in Heemskerck.
The Huis tot Heemskerk dates from around 1250. The
roundel was part of a long chain of castles for defense during the West
Frisian Wars. It was inhabited by the Lords of Heemskerk, who exercised
administration and jurisdiction in the craft of Heemskerk and Castricum.
The Lords of Heemskerk regularly came into conflict with neighboring
Lords and with the farming population. In 1358 Slot Heemskerk was
besieged by Dirk van Polanen. After eleven weeks, Wouter van Heemskerk
had to surrender. In 1380 the family got the castle back, but without
the seigniorial rights. In 1426 the castle was plundered by Kennemer
farmers led by Willem Nagel. Later in the 15th century the estate came
into the possession of the Lords of Assendelft.
In 1610 Karel van Arenberg sold the castle to Daniël
de Hertaing, lord of Marquette-en-Ostrevant, who was married to Eleonora
de Hennin, sister of the late Count of Bossu. He was allowed to name the
property Marquette.
From 1717 to 1909 the house was owned by the
Rendorp family, after which it passed through marriage in 1855 to the
Gevers family, who owned it until 1980. They would only use this shelter
as a country house. Between 1730 and 1760, the castle was completely
renovated and given an 18th-century appearance.
Joachim Rendorp
was the owner during the second half of the 18th century.
In the
course of time, the castle underwent the necessary metamorphoses due to
demolition and construction by the various owners. In 1742, according to
the date above the front door, and 1828, the castle was radically
changed and got its present appearance.
A large part of the
special interior of Slot Assumburg was transferred to Marquette at the
end of the 19th century. During World War II, Marquette Castle was used
by the German occupation as a weather station. The castle was shelled a
few times by the Allies, and the roof of the castle was severely
damaged. The last owner, Mr. Gevers van Marquette, transferred the
estate to the Heemskerk water company PWN in 1980. It was then restored
and made suitable as a conference center. A hotel was also built on the
estate during this period. After that, the castle was extensively
restored by various owners to prevent further decay of the castle and
the estate.