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Valkenburg Castle

Ruined castle in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands

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1327966802 · 2025-12-17T02:50:45Z
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Overview

Valkenburg Castle is a ruined castle in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands. It is unique in the Netherlands in that it is the only castle in the Netherlands built on a hill. The ruins suggest that the castle was once surrounded by a moat. The castle is listed in the top hundred of Dutch cultural monuments.

History

In the year 1115, fortifications were erected at the site by Gosewijn I, Lord of Valkenburg. This original wooden keep survived until 1122 when it was destroyed under siege by Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor. The castle was rebuilt in the following centuries but was again destroyed in a siege, this time by John III, Duke of Brabant. The current ruins are those of the castle destroyed in 1672. The history of the ruins can be traced through these phases of rebuilding. After the destruction in 1672, the castle was in ruin until growing tourism pushed officials to consider reconstruction and preservation. Efforts were inspired by the push to rebuild the country after World War 2, which continued through the 20th century.

Image:The falcons fort.jpg knights hall Image:Kasteel Valkenburg vestingsmuur.jpg Castle Valkenburg Image:Kasteel Valkenburg originele windwijzer.jpg Castle Valkenburg Image:Valkenburg burcht.JPG Castle Valkenburg Image:Overzicht ruïne - Valkenburg - 20238127 - RCE.jpg

See also

*List of castles in the Netherlands

References

Per reference and video of Valkenburg Castle: see The Curse of Oak Island: (April 24th, 2024 ) NEW PROOF of Viking Connections to the Island (S11) See also: *Kransber, D. & H. Mils, Kastelengids van Nederland, middeleeuwen, Bussem 1979 () *Kalkwiek, K.A., A.I.J.M. Schellart, H.P.H. Jansen & P.W. Geudeke, Atlas van de Nederlandse kastelen, Alphen aan den Rijn 1980 () *Helsdingen, H.W. van, Gids voor de Nederlandse kastelen en buitenplaatsen, Amsterdam 1966 *Tromp, H.M.J., Kijk op kastelen Amsterdam 1979 () *User, S. (n.d.-b). Castles.nl - Valkenburg Castle. https://www.castles.nl/valkenburg-castle *Penny. (2023b, August 1). The Captivating Valkenburg Castle Ruins & Velvet Cave - GlobeTrove. GlobeTrove. https://www.globetrove.com/valkenburg-castle-ruins-velvet-cave/ *Ugc. (2023b, November 22). Kasteelruine Fluweelengrot.

Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kasteelruine-fluweelengrot

External links

*Mot's Castle page of castles in the Netherlands

History & culture

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