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.
The roots of Chateau Marquette trace back to the mid-13th century
when the original Heemskerk Castle was constructed under Count William
II of Holland (r. 1247–1256) as part of a defensive network to subdue
the West Frisians. This initial structure was a round water castle with
an outer diameter of about 40 meters, larger than contemporaries like
Egmond Castle. In 1300, Gerard II van Heemskerk transferred the castle
to John II, Count of Holland, receiving it back as a fief. The site
played a role in the Hook and Cod wars; in 1354, Gerard III van
Heemskerk imprisoned Dirk III van Brederode there, and in 1358, his son
Wouter attempted an assassination, leading to a siege by Regent Count
Albert that ended in surrender in 1359.
By the late 14th century, the
water castle became obsolete and was largely deserted, with buildings on
the outer bailey evolving into the precursor of the modern manor.
Ownership passed through noble families: the Van Heemskerk (c.
1250–1475), Van Zevenbergen (1475–1560, including Corneille of Berghes,
Prince-Bishop of Liège), Van Arenberg (1560–1610, during the Eighty
Years' War), and then to Daniël de Hertaing in 1610, who renamed it
Marquette Castle after his lost lordship in Ostrevant. The de Hertaing
line held it until 1655, when it passed to Petronella, Baroness of
Wassenaar and Duvenvoorde.
In 1717, the Rendorp family acquired it;
Pieter Rendorp (1703–1760), an amateur architect, redesigned significant
portions, and his son Joachim expanded it further. Economic hardships
during the French period led to partial demolitions. The Gevers family
took over in 1855 through marriage, with Hugo Gevers serving as mayor of
Heemskerk from 1888. The castle was uninhabited after 1921 but
reoccupied post-World War II.
In 1977, the estate was sold to BV
Onroerende Goederen Maatschappij de Omval; Noord-Holland province bought
the land in 1980, and renovations transformed the chateau into a
conference center by 1981, though it briefly closed in 1982. The Swiss
Sodereal Group (later Swiss Tradition Hotels) acquired it in 1984,
adding a hotel and hosting events like the 1986 EU foreign affairs
ministers' meeting. Management shifted to groups like Mercury Hotel
Group and NH Hotel Group. Since 2018, Erik Kuiper-van den Berg has owned
it, financing via crowdfunding, and it was recognized as the best event
location in Noord-Holland in 2022.
Geophysical surveys in 2021, using
ground-penetrating radar, revealed remnants of the original water castle
and gatehouse, underscoring its archaeological significance.
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.