Marquettelaan 34
Heemskerk, North Holland
Tel. 025 125 70 25
Chateau Marquette, also known as Marquette Castle or Kasteel Marquette, is a historic manor house located in Heemskerk, North Holland, Netherlands. Situated at coordinates 52°31′15″N 4°40′06″E, it stands as a testament to centuries of Dutch history, blending medieval origins with 18th-century elegance. The chateau occupies the site of the earlier 13th-century Heemskerk Castle (Huis te Heemskerk), a round water castle, and is surrounded by expansive moats that hint at its fortified past. Today, it serves as a luxurious venue for events, weddings, and accommodations, set within the picturesque Landgoed Marquette estate, which encompasses vast green fields, forests, and natural landscapes influenced by the ancient Oer-IJ tidal area dating back to Roman times.
Medieval Origins: Huis te Heemskerk (~1250–Late 15th Century)
The
castle’s story begins around 1250 (possibly as early as 1225–1240)
during the reign of Count William II of Holland (r. 1247–1256). He
ordered the construction of roads and a chain of defensive castles in
Kennemerland to subdue the West Frisians. Huis te Heemskerk formed part
of this line (alongside sites like Oud Haerlem Castle), creating an
unusually dense concentration of fortifications in the area.
The
original structure was a classic round water castle (rondeel)—a circular
moated fortress with an outer diameter of about 40 meters (larger than
the similar Egmond Castle). It featured thick brick walls, at least one
building along the wall, and a gatehouse. Archaeological investigations
in 2021 using ground-penetrating radar confirmed these dimensions and
the layout, including remnants of a square entrance tower and possible
earlier structures on what became the outer bailey. The Lords of
Heemskerk (Van Heemskerk family) inhabited it and exercised local
administration and justice over the ambacht (district) of Heemskerk and
Castricum. They frequently clashed with neighboring lords and the local
peasant population.
Key events in the Hook and Cod Wars (Hoekse en
Kabeljauwse twisten) highlight its turbulent medieval role:
1354:
Gerard III van Heemskerk (leader of the Cod faction) held Dirk III van
Brederode prisoner here.
1358: The castle endured an 11-week siege by
Dirk van Polanen (also known as Dirk van der Leck). Wouter van Heemskerk
eventually surrendered; the family later regained possession in 1380 but
lost full seigneurial rights.
1426: Kennemer peasants, led by rebel
Willem Nagel, plundered and largely destroyed the castle. The roundel
itself survived, and the site was rebuilt (a small tower from this
period remains visible in some accounts).
By the late 15th
century, the estate passed (through inheritance) to the Lords of
Assendelft (Van Assendelft) and briefly to the Van Zevenbergen line
(1475 onward via Joost van Strijen). It continued evolving from a purely
defensive fortress into a more residential manor as military needs
diminished.
16th–17th Centuries: Transition and Renaming to
Marquette (1560–1717)
In 1560, the property passed to Jean de Ligne,
Count of Arenberg (nephew of the previous owner). The Arenbergs,
involved in the early Eighty Years’ War, eventually sold it amid the
turmoil of the Dutch Revolt.
In 1610, Amsterdam merchant and military
figure Daniël de Hertaing (Lord of Marquette-en-Ostrevant in
Hainaut/Henegouwen, and former governor of Ostend during its famous
1601–1604 siege) purchased the castle. Married to Eleonora de Hennin
(sister of the Count of Bossu), he received permission in 1612 from the
States of Holland to rename it Marquette Castle after his lost lordship
in the south. The De Hertaing family (including sons Willem, Hendrik,
and Maximilian, later succeeded by Petronella, Baroness of Wassenaar and
Duvenvoorde) held it until 1717. During this era, it shifted fully into
a country manor, with some 16th-century elements (like a chapel ~1555
and a high stair tower) still traceable in the basements.
18th–19th Centuries: The Rendorp Era and Major Rebuilds (1717–1855)
In 1717, Amsterdam brewer, regent, and mayor Joachim Rendorp bought the
estate for 23,000 guilders and was enfeoffed with the “riddermatige
heerlijkheid” (knightly lordship). His son Pieter Rendorp (1703–1760),
an amateur architect and multiple-time Amsterdam mayor who wrote on
architecture, oversaw a major transformation between 1738–1741 (with the
date 1742 still visible above the front door). He designed the stately
eastern wing with its double roof, avant-corps, stone pilaster strips,
and ornate gate.
The family (later styling themselves Rendorp van
Marquette and elevated to nobility in the early 19th century) expanded
further under grandson Joachim II Rendorp (~1780s): a western wing and
northern section were added, though parts were later demolished in the
early 1800s due to post-French period economic decline. The round water
castle remnants were fully demolished around 1802, leaving only the wide
moats. The current two-parallel-wings-plus-gate-wing layout, with
vaulted basements (some containing 13th–15th-century brickwork and
fireplaces), dates primarily to these 18th-century works. Interiors
feature Louis XIV stucco, Louis XV summer dining rooms, a Chinese room
with painted wallpaper, and marble floors.
In 1855, the estate passed
via marriage (Paulina van Rendorp van Marquette to Jan Hugo Gevers) to
the Gevers family, who held it until the late 20th century. They used it
primarily as a country house. In the late 19th century, jhr. mr. Hugo
Gevers van Marquette (mayor of Heemskerk 1888–1921) transferred ornate
17th-century paneling, marble fireplaces, doors, and woodwork from the
great hall of nearby Slot Assumburg (which the family also owned) to
Marquette, enhancing its interiors.
20th Century to Present:
Wars, Restorations, and Modern Use (1900s–Today)
After Hugo Gevers’
death in 1921, the castle stood largely uninhabited until after World
War II, when his son Abraham Daniël Theodore “Daan” Gevers (1901–1989)
and wife Christine settled there. During World War II, German forces
(Luftwaffe) used it as a weather station, making it a target for Allied
air raids and shelling that severely damaged the roof.
The last
private owner, jhr. Daan Gevers, sold the estate around 1979–1980 to the
Noordhollands waterleidingbedrijf (PWN water company). A full
restoration transformed the castle into “Château Marquette,” a
multifunctional conference and events center, with the old farmhouse
converted into a luxury hotel (now Hotel Heemskerk). Further
restorations by subsequent owners prevented decay and preserved its
monumental status (Rijksmonument 519562).
Since around 2018, the
Relaxed Hospitality Group (under Erik Kuiper-van den Berg) has operated
Landgoed Marquette via crowdfunding and ownership changes. The château
hosts weddings, parties, meetings, and dining in its historic rooms,
blending 18th-century elegance with modern amenities. The broader
estate—surrounded by dunes, forests, and the Oer-IJ historical
landscape—remains a public green space rich in layered history.
Chateau Marquette is a classic example of an 18th-century Dutch manor
house, built as a water castle type with wide moats from its medieval
predecessor. The structure consists of two parallel wings and a
perpendicular small gate wing. Key elements include three vaulted
basements, one featuring a 13th-century brick wall, and a chapel from
around 1555 located west of the bridge. A 14th- or 15th-century
fireplace was discovered during 1980 renovations.
The high stair
tower dates to the early 16th century, marking the transition to a
manor. Pieter Rendorp's 1738–1741 redesign added the eastern wing with a
double roof, avant-corps, and stone pilaster strips, along with gate
decorations. The western wing, extended around 1780, represents the
largest addition, though a northern section was demolished in the early
19th century, leaving terraces.
Interiors showcase period styles: a
corridor with marble floors and Louis XIV stucco, a Louis XV summer
dining room, a Chinese room with painted wallpaper, and a ballroom
incorporating early 18th-century carpentry relocated from Assumburg
Castle in 1911. These elements reflect layers of historical
modifications, visible in walls, decorations, and furniture.
Today, Chateau Marquette functions primarily as a hotel, conference
center, and event venue within the Landgoed Marquette estate. The former
Hotel Marquette reopened as Hotel Heemskerk in July 2023 after full
renovations, modernizing while preserving historical charm. It offers
luxurious accommodations with serene countryside views, elegant spaces
for company parties, fairytale weddings, and business meetings.
Facilities include a restaurant for brunches and dinners, and it's
praised for its beautiful location, excellent breakfast, and helpful
staff.
The estate hosts weekly activities for all ages, such as
"Castle Day," "Swinging Dance Night," and "Halloween Kids," with a
calendar for planning visits. It's ideal for guided tours during events
like Open Monumentendag, allowing public access to this otherwise
private venue. The chateau's romantic atmosphere, with mirror-still
moats and fairytale gates, makes it a popular spot for photography and
special occasions.
The 61.5-hectare estate is nestled in Heemskerk's natural beauty, featuring hiking and cycling paths through forests and fields. Nearby, the PWN dune area (managed by Pure Water and Nature) offers adventurous walks, picnics, and biodiversity conservation efforts. A golf course is also accessible for enthusiasts. The location provides tranquility, yet it's conveniently near urban areas, making it suitable for both leisure and professional retreats.
Standout features include the preserved moats, the 16th-century stair tower, and opulent interiors like the Chinese room and Assumburg carpentry. The site's archaeological value was highlighted by 2021 discoveries, and its role in medieval conflicts adds historical depth. As a privately owned monument, Chateau Marquette embodies Dutch heritage, attracting visitors for its blend of history, architecture, and modern hospitality. It's not only a visual delight with its brick facades, ivy-covered walls, and fountains but also a living piece of history that continues to evolve.