Slot Loevestein is a sturdy 14th century fortress, nicely located in a region of rivers and surrounded by much scenic beauty. The castle has an eventful past as a toll castle, a defensive post, and a prison. The castle has a double moat, a munitions tower, soldiers' barracks, an arsenal and the Loevestein street, which housed families of soldiers and workers.
Loevestein was built between 1357 and 1368 by order of Sir Diederick van Horne. The walls of the castle are made of bricks baked from the river clay, and are 1.5 to 2 metres thick. Shortly after it was built Loevestein became a toll castle. Every ship that passed had to pay the toll. The outer courtyard was destroyed in 1397 by the army of the Duke of Holland.
About 1600 the castle became a State Prison of the Republic of the United Netherlands. Many politicians and ministers have been imprisoned here over the years. One of the prisoners, Hugo de Groot, made Loevestein famous when he escaped from the castle by hiding in a book chest in 1621.
In the 18th century the castle served as a military garrison. Many of the surrounding buildings date from that period. Slot Loevestein had a colourful, and sometimes bloody past, and it is said to be haunted by some of its past prisoners who died within its walls.
