Teylingen represents two entities in the Dutch province of South Holland: the ruin of a moated castle, Kasteel Teylingen, and the modern administrative area, Gemeente Teylingen. The castle’s history is deeply intertwined with the medieval rulers of Holland, while the contemporary municipality is a product of modern governance and geography. Understanding Teylingen requires looking at both its past and its present-day community.
The Medieval Fortress
Kasteel Teylingen began as a defensive structure, likely erected around the turn of the 13th century. It was conceived as a round water castle designed to protect the critical north-south route along the Rhine dike and the road to Haarlem. The core structure was a ring wall (enceinte) built with brickwork and interior buttresses, topped by a defensive walkway (chemin de ronde).
A cylindrical keep (donjon) was added later in the 13th century, integrated directly into the ring wall. The complex was situated on a castle island and surrounded by a wide moat. Although a separate residential house was built on an outer bailey in the 14th century, only the main ruin remains today. The remnants of the castle, with its 37-meter diameter, are preserved as a national monument (Rijksmonument) under the care of the Dutch state.
Historical Significance and Key Figures
The castle’s history is closely linked to the Counts of Holland. The original Lords of Teylingen lost the fief to the county in 1282 after failing to produce a direct heir. The castle then transitioned from a noble residence to a hunting lodge and the official forester’s residence for the Counts. This function placed Teylingen at the center of regional administration and the management of surrounding woodlands.
The most famous resident was Countess Jacoba van Beieren (Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut), who spent the last years of her life at the castle. Jacoba was forced to cede her titles as Countess of Holland, Zeeland, and Hainaut to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in 1433. Following this political defeat, she was granted the title of forester and retired to Teylingen with her fourth husband, Frank van Borssele.
Jacoba died at the castle on October 9, 1436, likely due to tuberculosis. Her residence cemented its place in Dutch history, inspiring the name for a type of late medieval stoneware drinking jug, the “Jacobakan,” recovered from the castle moat. The castle suffered heavy damage during the Eighty Years’ War, particularly around 1572–1574, when Spanish forces reduced the complex to a ruin. A final fire in 1676 ended any attempts at full reconstruction, leading to its current status as a consolidated ruin.
The Modern Municipality
The modern administrative entity, Gemeente Teylingen, was established on January 1, 2006. This municipality was formed through the merger of three independent municipalities: Sassenheim, Voorhout, and Warmond. The name Teylingen was chosen because the castle is centrally located and the name was already familiar across the three constituent villages.
The municipality is situated in the north of South Holland, defined by its place within the Bollenstreek, or Dutch Bulb Region. This area is known internationally for its flower bulb cultivation, which includes tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Teylingen’s environment, characterized by sandy soil and proximity to the coast, provides favorable conditions for this specialized agriculture.
The municipality currently has a population of approximately 38,705 residents, spread across the three main villages. Voorhout serves as the administrative center, while Sassenheim hosts the municipal office. The area maintains a strong connection to its historical namesake, utilizing the name to unify the modern communities that share a common geography and cultural heritage in the heart of the bulb-growing district.