Kasteel Heemstede, Baroque castle in Houten, Netherlands.
Kasteel Heemstede is a castle with Dutch Baroque architecture located in Houten. The building is now used partly as office space and houses a Michelin-starred restaurant in its basement level.
The castle was built in 1645 by Hendrick de Pieck van Wolfsweerd as a replacement for an earlier medieval fortress located about 500 meters to the south. This new construction was part of a broader trend of country estates being developed in the area during the 17th century.
The castle displays features of Dutch Baroque style that are visible in its symmetrical facade and corner towers. This architectural language was a mark of wealth and power in the region during the 17th century.
The site is now primarily used privately, so viewing from the outside is the most accessible option. The surrounding area near Houten offers walking and cycling routes for exploring the castle and the countryside.
In 1910 historical documents were discovered in the castle's attic, including the founding charter of New York from Dutch East India Company records. These findings reveal the connection this region had to the major trading networks of the Golden Age.
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