Muiden Castle was established at the earliest by 1280 AD, on the main road leading to the city of Utrecht in central Holland, and was a military fort on the banks of the Vecht River, and was part of the maritime defensive perimeter of Amsterdam. The ancient castle has been through many events of wartime destruction and subsequent rebuilding. The current castle is a reconstruction from between 1370-1386 on the original site. The castle entirely retains its original appearance, with a surrounding protective moat, and high enclosing walls that are defensive structures, where visitors can walk. All around there are towers, which are connected on both sides by a triforium. The spiral staircase of the ancient castle is 81 steps long. We climbed up the narrow and precipitous stairs and entered the interior of the ancient castle where we learned about its history. The staff of the castle guided us, and along the way told us about the furnishings and origins of the castle. Standing before the carved bed of an old time master, he explained that in previous times the Dutch slept in a half prone position, since they believed that only the dead should lie down completely prone. So therefore, ancient beds are all extremely short and small. Art pieces can be seen everywhere in the castle, as well as daily use articles of the famous Dutch poet and author P.C. Hooft from his period of residence here between 1609-1674.