Muiderberg

“A saxophonist’s dream,” a musician once whispered to me, “that’s Muiderberg.” Muiderberg. A quaint village nestled in North Holland, a stone’s throw from the bustling city of Amsterdam. It’s a place where the echoes of history mingle with the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. Muiderberg’s story begins around 1200, on a glacial ridge overlooking what was once the Zuiderzee. Imagine a small settlement clinging to the hillside, its inhabitants watching the ever-changing waters. Beneath the surface of modern Muiderberg lies a hidden history, layers of life swallowed by the sea. This village played a pivotal role in a dark chapter of Dutch history: the murder of Count Floris V in 1296. This tragic event, which took place near Muiderberg, inspired the renowned play “Geeraerdt van Velsen” by P.C. Hooft, who resided in the nearby Muiderslot castle. Muiderberg is more than just historical whispers. It boasts the largest Jewish cemetery in the Netherlands, a silent testament to centuries of Jewish life. Established in 1642 by German Jews, it later merged with a Polish Jewish cemetery founded in 1660. The stark beauty of the reception area and the metaarhuis, designed by Harry Elte in 1933, adds a poignant touch to this sacred ground. A stroll through Muiderberg reveals its multifaceted character. From the 15th-century Church by the Sea to the monument honoring Piet Lieftinck, the father of the “Lieftinck ten-guilder note,” the village offers a rich tapestry of stories. Don’t miss the two enchanting woods, the Kocherbos and the Echobos, where you can whisper secrets to the echoing walls. Or wander along the old Zuiderzee dike, the “bokkendijk,” leading to the Muizenfort and Muiderslot in Muiden. The Brink, Muiderberg’s central square, pulses with the heart of village life. Here stands the Rechthuis, once a courthouse and later a stop on the Gooische Stoomtram line. Today, it welcomes visitors as a hotel and café-restaurant. Muiderberg even holds a unique title: the “saxophone capital” of the Netherlands, thanks to its internationally renowned wind instrument business. As you leave Muiderberg, the image of its sandy beach, popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers, will linger in your mind. The sounds of saxophones, perhaps emanating from a local musician’s window, will echo in your ears, a final reminder of this charming village’s unique allure.