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In the 12th century Naarden was one of the largest cities in Holland, and recognized by many as that nation's capital. The city's lands were owned by the powerful Bishops of Utrecht. King Otto I of Germany awarded control of the town to monks residing in the monastery at Eelde in 1131 (there must have been several King Otto I's, because the one I can find was long dead by 1131).
Count Floris V of Holland and Zeeland (1254-1296) built the first stone fort at the city's original location to control commerce on the River Vecht, and was rewarded by being stabbed to death in a conspiracy involving, amongst others, the Bishops of Utrecht, who regained control of the area. Naarden was burned to the ground by the Spanish at the end of the 14th century, and the city was rebuilt starting in 1400, 20km up the river at its current location. The fortress we see today was built around this time.
Despite the relocation, the French and later the Prussians were able to find and capture Naarden during the Napoleanic Wars (1803-1815).
Naarden ended its use as a military fortification in 1926, but has been restored and now houses the Nederlands Vesting Museum in its Turfpoort Bastion. Tours are given on a regular basis, and on Easter Monday, Whit Monday and every third Sunday from May to September, lots of people dress up in period costumes, fire cannons and caper about in an entertaining fashion. |
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