Castle gem: poetry at the Muiderslot

What words do you choose to bring images to life? And where do you find inspiration? In the poetry project Kasteeljuweel, students step into the shoes of a poet - on the same spot where P.C. Hooft and his friends challenged and inspired each other centuries ago.

Informatie

Target audience: undergraduate secondary education
Availability: spring 2026
Duration: 2.5 hours
Group size: up to 30 students per time slot (1 museum docent per 15 students)
Supervision: at least 1 supervisor per 15 students
Cost: €12.50 per student
Connected to core objectives: Arts & Culture 48, 49, 50, 52; People & Society 37
Booking: at least 8 weeks before your visit

In the seventeenth century, poet and writer P.C. Hooft regularly invited friends to the Muiderslot. These artists, writers and musicians were inspired by the castle, its gardens and the freedom of outdoor life. In the imposing Ridderzaal they read their work and discussed all kinds of ideas. With Kasteeljuweel, students let their voices be heard in this special place. Inspired by current themes such as freedom, identity and nature.

Interactive themed tour

Students explore the castle with a museum docent and discover how ideas about art, freedom and expression developed over time.

Poetry Workshop

Afterwards, students dive into the world of poetry under the guidance of a professional poetry teacher. They learn how to evoke images with words, how to capture feelings in language, and they write their own poem, inspired by what they have seen and discussed.

Final in the Knights’ Hall

During a festive Kasteeljuweel finale, the best poems from various participating classes then compete against each other. In the imposing Knights’ Hall, where Hooft and his contemporaries once met, students recite their work. They do this in front of a live audience and a professional jury. Pride, daring and language come together in a special conclusion to an inspiring course. A professional jury chooses three winners.

Final: with participation of at least 10 classes (from different schools)

Final dates school year 2025-2026: Wednesday, June 10, 2026