Heemstede Castle

Heemstede Castle (Dutch: Slot Heemstede) is the site of the old castle of Heemstede. The property is situated at the site of the former castle 'Heerlijkheid Heemstede', or 'Huis te Heemstede', at a strategic position on mouth of the Spaarne river on the Haarlem lake (since 1853 pumped dry and called the Haarlemmermeer polder).

History
The castle was first built in 1280, by Dirk van Hoylede from the region of Vlaardingen. Built, burned and rebuilt over the centuries, it was last torn down in 1810, after years of neglect. The monumental gatekeeper's house 'Nederhuys', built in 1630, remains intact as well as the foundations from the Middle Ages.

Adrian Pauw
The most famous owner of the castle was Adriaan Pauw, who bought it in 1620. He played a role in the Treaty of Münster, and built the bridge Pons Pacis to commemorate the peace treaty.