Hoensbroek Castle

Hoensbroek Castle, locally known as Kasteel Hoensbroek, lies in the village with the same name, in the Limburg province in the Netherlands.

The first fortification at this site was built around 1250. Nothing of this rectangular building remains but the walls of the courtyard are built on the foundations of that building.

The second fortification here was built around 1360 by the powerful Hoen family. The castle was situated not far from the important trading route between Cologne and the towns in Flanders. Of this castle only the large, round keep remains. This heavy keep has ca. 3 meter thick walls with staircases within. In medieval times it would have had battlements but these were replaced by the spiral roof in the 17th century. There is still a prison cell on the lowest level of the keep. Next to this tower a rectangular castle would have stood, incorporating the earlier structure.

The buildings on the two baileys were built in the 17th century and were used as farm buildings.

In 1717 the medieval part of the castle collapsed. After that a new, 18th century castle was built on its foundations.

The Hoen family was an important family. In the 14th century they were allies of the Dukes of Brabant and also in later centuries they were always associated with high political functions. The family members lived at the castle until 1796. After that time they mostly resided at their castle in Germany; Schloss Haag.

At the end of the 18th century the castle was more or less abandoned and it fell into decay. In 1899 part of the southern corner tower collapsed.

In 1927 the owner of the castle; Frans Lothar van Hoensbroek sold the castle to a Roman Catholic foundation; 'Ave Rex Christi'. They restored the castle and still own it. After these restorations the castle has had several purposes until the 1980s when it was again restored. At present it is a museum which you can visit for a fee.

This is a nice moated castle but, save from the interior of the round tower, has got no medieval feel. The rooms in the other buildings are furnished with 17th and 18th century furniture. Its architectural style reminds me somewhat of Schaesberg Castle.

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Hoensbroek Castle

Hoensbroek Castle, locally known as Kasteel Hoensbroek, lies in the village with the same name, in the Limburg province in the Netherlands.

The first fortification at this site was built around 1250. Nothing of this rectangular building remains but the walls of the courtyard are built on the foundations of that building.

The second fortification here was built around 1360 by the powerful Hoen family. The castle was situated not far from the important trading route between Cologne and the towns in Flanders. Of this castle only the large, round keep remains. This heavy keep has ca. 3 meter thick walls with staircases within. In medieval times it would have had battlements but these were replaced by the spiral roof in the 17th century. There is still a prison cell on the lowest level of the keep. Next to this tower a rectangular castle would have stood, incorporating the earlier structure.

The buildings on the two baileys were built in the 17th century and were used as farm buildings.

In 1717 the medieval part of the castle collapsed. After that a new, 18th century castle was built on its foundations.

The Hoen family was an important family. In the 14th century they were allies of the Dukes of Brabant and also in later centuries they were always associated with high political functions. The family members lived at the castle until 1796. After that time they mostly resided at their castle in Germany; Schloss Haag.

At the end of the 18th century the castle was more or less abandoned and it fell into decay. In 1899 part of the southern corner tower collapsed.

In 1927 the owner of the castle; Frans Lothar van Hoensbroek sold the castle to a Roman Catholic foundation; 'Ave Rex Christi'. They restored the castle and still own it. After these restorations the castle has had several purposes until the 1980s when it was again restored. At present it is a museum which you can visit for a fee.

This is a nice moated castle but, save from the interior of the round tower, has got no medieval feel. The rooms in the other buildings are furnished with 17th and 18th century furniture. Its architectural style reminds me somewhat of Schaesberg Castle.

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Details
Hits: 11463