It is not the Dutch province with the most public castles – that is Gelderland – but there are also plenty to be found in Limburg. According to the book Castles in Limburg. Castles and country houses (1000-1800) There are more than two hundred castles and country estates in Limburg that are in good condition.
A striking number of Limburg castles have been converted into catering facilities. This is evident from a report by the Dutch Castle Foundation from 2015. In that year there were 25 castle hotels in South Limburg, and six in Central and North Limburg each. Which castles in Limburg are worth a visit (and perhaps an overnight stay)?
1. The ruins of Valkenburg
The very first tourist office in the Netherlands opened in Valkenburg on February 22, 1885. The province had been definitively annexed to the Netherlands eighteen years earlier and attracted many Dutch tourists. The hills of South Limburg felt like ‘a foreign country in our own country’. A real attraction was – and is – the castle ruins on the Heunsberg (seen in the photo at the top).
The only high-rise castle in the Netherlands was most likely built in 1115. In the second half of the twelfth century it was expanded with, among other things, an enormous sixteen-sided tower of thirty meters high. In the Disaster Year of 1672, William III decided to blow up the castle. With this he wanted to prevent the French army, which had invaded Valkenburg, from conquering the castle. Heavy explosive charges turned the castle into the ruins it still stands today.
2. Hoensbroek Castle
A castle in South Limburg that is often praised is Hoensbroek Castle. Logical, because it is extremely well preserved. The castle was renovated and expanded several times between 1375 and 1725. The result is a large castle with 67 halls, rooms and spaces. This makes Hoensbroek Castle one of the largest castles in the Netherlands.
In 1375 it was nothing more than a stone house with a tower, located in a swamp. A knight named Herman Hoen took up residence there and became lord of this small castle. His descendants remained the owners of the increasingly expanded castle until the end of the eighteenth century. Then it fell into disrepair. Fortunately for castle lovers, it was extensively renovated in the twentieth century and now serves as a museum.
3. Hattem Castle
From the largest we go to the smallest castle in the Netherlands. Kasteeltje Hattem is located in the city park of Roermond. Before a castle was built in 1718, there was a residential tower on this site. In the nineteenth century, the castle was given so-called turrets, protruding round turrets on the corner of the facade. This makes it look even more like a ‘real’ castle. The canal surrounding the country house also contributes to this feeling.
Nowadays you can go there for lunch and dinner. Eight luxury suites have been built in the former coach houses.
4. Château Neercanne
When I ended up in Maastricht for my studies, I immediately felt at home. I enjoyed the conviviality, rich history and green walking environment. I walked a bit between the vineyards at the Apostelhoeve and the Cannerbos, near the Sint-Pietersberg. From there you have a beautiful view of Château Neercanne.
The castle was originally built on the site of Roman defenses. The caves from this period still exist and now serve as a wine cellar. The current building dates from 1698 and is the only terraced castle in the Netherlands. The courtyard and areas outside the walled garden are open to all. Would you like to see the castle from the inside? Then you will have to book a night in one of the suites. Luxury dining is also possible. Restaurant Château Neercanne has been awarded a Michelin star.
The gardens of Neercanne Castle near Maastricht are built on different levels. It is the only terraced castle in the Netherlands.
5. Horn Castle
If you are already in Roermond to visit Hattem Castle, you might as well cross over to Horn. There is one of the oldest ring castles in the Netherlands. It is privately owned by the Magnée family, who purchased it in 1798. So you are not allowed inside, but you can view it from the surrounding park.
The castle was probably built in the tenth or eleventh century. At the time, the castle was still on the Maas, and all passing boats had to pay a toll. When the course of the Maas changed, the castle lost this function. Originally, Horn Castle had four towers, but two disappeared at the beginning of the fifteenth century. The living area has been expanded.
The park of Horn Castle is freely accessible. From there you have a beautiful view of one of the oldest ring castles in the Netherlands.
Curious about more castles in the Netherlands? Or would you rather go castle hunting in Germany or drink wine near a French château?
Roeliene is a freelance science journalist. She contributes to National Geographic and KIJK Magazine, among others. She loves traveling, religious history and a brisk walk.
