HDR at F8 and 3 exposures , tonemapped in mediachance !

Subject is the Ruine of Castle Brederode.

In the dunes and woodlands northwest of the village of Santpoort lies Brederode Castle.

It was built in 1282 by Willem van Brederode. The first castle consisted of a bailey and a square keep which probably stood at the present day courtyard. It's function was to control the through road to the Kennemerland.

Around 1300 the main castle was built with 3 square and 1 round tower at its corners. This castle was besieged and destroyed by the Kabeljauw troops under the command of Gijsbert van Nijenrode in 1351.

Between 1354 and 1426 Brederode Castle was completely restored on the existing foundations. Until its destruction in 1426 by the people of Haarlem, which mainly damaged the southern part of the castle, Brederode Castle had been the residence of the Lords of Brederode. Afterwards they moved to Batenstein Castle in Vianen, which they had gained by marriage.

It took until 1464 before the northern part, which had been less damaged, was again suitable for habitation. The new castle wasn't a defensible house anymore, but a fairly comfortable residence. In 1491 however, the castle fell prey to plundering German soldiers and the castle fell into decay.

Around 1573, shortly after the siege of the city of Haarlem, Spanish troops set fire to the castle. With that the north wall of the kitchen wing collapsed and fell into the moat. It's debris nowadays forms a little overgrown island in the moat.

In the following period only the buildings on the bailey were habitable, but after 1600 these also fell into decay.