Almere Castle

A story of dreams and abandon

The idea of building a castle in Almere dates back to 1999, driven by the ambition to provide the town with an exceptional venue for weddings and prestigious events. Inspired by the medieval castle of Jemeppe in Belgium, the project was launched in September 2000, with an initial budget of 60 million guilders (around 27 million euros). However, financial problems soon got in the way, and in 2002, construction came to an abrupt halt, leaving behind a ghostly edifice.

Failed attempts at revival

Several attempts were made to bring the château back to life. In 2005, Gravin BV bought the site with the idea of developing it into a hotel and residential accommodation. However, planning restrictions prevented the project from becoming a reality.

In 2013, a new opportunity arose with WitchWorld, a fantasy-themed theme park project. The aim was to exploit the existing structure to turn it into an immersive destination. Despite public enthusiasm and an exceptional visit in 2015 that drew thousands of curious onlookers, the project’s financing failed, putting an end to this ambition in 2018.

An artistic relic

In 2021, the castle took on a new function, no longer as a historical monument, but as a work of art. The Kamp Seedorf collective created a fresco on one of the towers at the request of the town of Almere, transforming this modern ruin into an unexpected cultural symbol.

Even today, Kasteel Almere remains a fascinating place, somewhere between architectural failure and artistic inspiration, attracting photographers, urban explorers and lovers of unfinished stories.