Zuylen castle

8c) Zuylen Castle
The medieval Slot Zuylen was renovated to its current state in 1754 by Diederik Jacob van Tuyll van Serooskerken, the father of the famous writer and freethinker Belle van Zuylen. The conversion into a comfortable country estate was partly financed by the fortune of his wife, Helena Jacoba de Vicq. This was partly due to the substantial share packages in the WIC, the VOC and the Society of Suriname. For the first time, the castle pays attention to this aspect of its past in the exhibition 'Belle, Lokhay, Martha Christina, freedom, equality, slavery?' (from 26 August 2021). Three women in search of freedom, on three continents, with huge differences in position, wealth and status. Belle van Zuylen lived on a fortune that was partly maintained by the slavery and oppression against which Lokhay and Martha Christina opposed. How does this clash and rhyme with Belle's ideas about freedom and equality? Openinghours are to be found on www.slotzuylen.nl.
 
 
Route: Cycle back to Maarssen-dorp and turn right at the Kaatsbaan.
Turn left to the Diependaalsedijk. After 130 meters the entrancegate to the Doornburgh estate is on the left.