8x North Limburg 'heritage gold' in special places

| | Reading time: 14 minutes |

North Limburg preserves its history as a precious treasure. Here, heritage shines like pure heritage gold. Eight sites, each with its own story, show how rich the region is in history and character. From Kasteel Huys ter Horst to Kloosterdorp Steyl: at these Limburg heritage gems, the past still shines in the present.

 

At these eight special places, you will discover real Limburg heritage:

  1. Gold on the Meuse: Monastery village Steyl
  2. Century-old history at Huys ter Horst Castle
  3. Heritage in Beesel: mill De Grauwe Beer
  4. Visit the centuries-old castle village of Baarlo
  5. Walk the Erfgoudroute in Venlo
  6. Jachtslot Mookerheide: art nouveau jewel on the heath
  7. 't Genneper Huys: Experience the Siege
  8. Museum Psychiatry: from straitjacket to digital therapy

1. Gold on the Meuse: Monastery village Steyl

Along the banks of the river Maas, in the municipality of Venlo, you will find a unique piece of North Limburg heritage: Kloosterdorp Steyl. A place where time ticks just a little slower. Sisters, Brothers and Fathers still live and work here. Stroll through the convent gardens and past the churches, chapels and serene courtyards. The Mission House St. Michaelhuis is one of the oldest buildings in Monastery Village Steyl. The Mission House houses a double church: unique in the Netherlands. Make at least 'a mission of a visit to the Mission Museum. Here you will find a collection of gifts received by the missionaries abroad. Also special here? The 1,500 stuffed animals, some of which look like they came straight out of Noah's Ark. Did you know they were used in early education and as information for the population?

  • Opening hours Mission Museum: Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kloosterdorpsteyl.nl

2. Centuries of history at Huys ter Horst Castle

Towering above 't green roof of the Kasteelse Bossen in Horst are pointed towers. They belong to Huys ter Horst Castle, a Limburg castle that has stood proudly on this spot since the 13th century. Once a military structure, later a charming residential castle for the wealthy nobility. And now what? Now you can experience exciting adventures in this special heritage. For example, book a 'Day of Castle Lord', where you have the castle all to yourself and play a historical game with each other. From April to September, you can come and explore the castle every first Sunday of the month. Tour guides in medieval costumes will take you through the rich 700-year history of Huys ter Horst Castle.

  • Contact us for options on a getaway at Huys ter Horst Castle
  • Golden tip: rent an E-chopper and explore the wooded surroundings of Kasteel Huys ter Horst

Kasteellaan 2, Horst, castlehuysterhorst.nl

The old gate of Huys ter Horst castle Squire Jonathan walks towards Huys ter Horst castle

3. Heritage in Beesel: mill De Grauwe Beer

True North Limburg heritage can be found in the heart of Beesel, in De Grauwe Beer. That is a corn mill that is no less than 400 years old. It wasn't always a corn mill: De Grauwe Beer started its 'career' as an upper-cross sawmill, the first one in the Netherlands. It just wasn't always located in northern Limburg. No, first the sails rotated in Zaandam. At the end of the nineteenth century, the mill crossed over to Beesel. Then it officially became a corn mill. Led by an enthusiastic mill guide or miller, you can now take a look at De Grauwe Beer. With the ultimate Limburg ending: coffee with a fresh piece of flan.

  • Opening hours: open on Saturdays from November to March from 10.30am to 4pm. From April to October, visit The Grey Bear from 10am to 4.30pm. Also note the blue pennant on the mill. When it flies, you can enter
  • If necessary, make an appointment for a guided tour via the De Grauwe Beer website

Kerkeveldweg 1, Beesel, grauwebeer.nl

4. Visit the centuries-old castle village of Baarlo

'T has a long history, Baarlo. A history that even points back to the stone and iron age: a bronze bucket dating from 800 to 500 BC was found in the 1930s. Besides being rich in history, Baarlo is also rich in castles. Not for nothing is 't called a castle village. There are no fewer than four such stately structures: Kasteel d'Erp, Kasteel de Berckt, Riddergoed de Raay and Kasteel Scheres. Did you know that Kasteel d'Erp was besieged by William of Orange? The castle is not open to the public. However, you can visit the Baarlo Mill, which originally belonged to the castle, on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm. You can still visit Kasteel de Berckt. That is now a place for group accommodation. The castle has already been rebuilt once, but a brick wing from the first part of the eighteenth century remains of the former forecourt.

  • Golden tip: take the ferry from Baarlo to Steyl. A historic trip, as the crossing over the Meuse river is centuries old. Get on at Vergelt 21 in Baarlo.
  • Also gold: the many field chapels in Baarlo. How many do you count?

Castle de Berckt: De Berckt 1, Baarlo,denieuweklasse.nl
Baarlo mill: Baron van Erplaan at 1, Baarlo

5. Walk the Erfgoudroute in Venlo

Venlo's history dates back to Roman times. 'n Quite a rich history therefore, which you can dive into completely today. The Erfgoudroute in Venlo take you past such valuable historical sites. From the medieval trading house to old city walls. Take for instance the St Jacobskapel, part of the Jacobsgasthuid from 1533. Did you know that pilgrims spent the night here on their way to Santiago de Compostella? Now you can rent office space there. Also note the hoop hanging straight above the roof. When night falls and the hoop lights up, it looks like a golden angel's wreath.

  • Download the route on the Erfgoud Venlo website
  • Golden tip: you can also walk Erfgoudroutes in Tegelen and Arcen

Start route: Keulsepoort 3, Venlo, erfgoud-venlo.nl

6. Jachtslot Mookerheide: art nouveau jewel on the heath

In the middle of the greenery of Mookerheide stands a stately building: Jachtslot Mookerheide. What immediately stands out? The pastel-coloured roofs and walls. You don't see that so easily at a historic castle, do you? The Jugendstil building from 1904 has been through a lot over the years. For instance, it had various functions during and around the Second World War. It also housed special residents, including... seals. These were the pets of the client of 't building, Jan Jacob Luden. Nowadays, Jachtslot Mookerheide is a place where you can have lunch and dinner. A nice break spot for your walk or cycle trip through the Mookerheide.

  • Golden tip: want to hear more about the stories of the hunting lodge? Then book a guided tour through IVN Natuurmonumenten.
  • Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Heumensebaan 2, Molenhoek, yachtslot.com

7. 't Genneper Huys: Experience the Siege

In the heart of Gennep is the Genneper Huys. In this old city hall, which looks photogenic with its round tower and checked windows, a special piece of Limburg history comes to life. Because did you know that the Genneper Huys had an important role in the Eighty Years' War? In 1641, the house was besieged by Frederik Hendrik van Oranje: the youngest son of William of Orange. The free exhibition Beleef de Belegering (Experience the Siege) in Genneper Huys brings the exciting stories of this period to the imagination. Frederik, but also soldiers, farmers and ordinary Gennepen people share personal anecdotes with you. Gold fact: access to the exhibition is free.

  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 16.30, Sunday from 12.30 to 16.30

Markt 1, Gennep, ontdekgenneperhuys.nl

8. Museum Psychiatry: from straitjacket to digital therapy

Venray has been a household name in psychiatric care for over a hundred years. In the early twentieth century, the municipality hosted two large psychiatric institutions: 'lunatic asylums', as they were then called. That important role is the focus of the Museum Psychiatrie. This interactive museum takes you on a special journey through the world of mental healthcare. Up close, you will discover how psychiatry has developed over more than a century. You will see methods and drugs that were all used over the years, from straitjackets to electroshock and from antidepressants to online therapy. The exhibition is full of authentic objects and personal stories. You get a good sense of how radically care and patients' lives changed over the years. A penetrating look at a surprising piece of Limburg history.

Stationsweg 46, Venray, municipality of Venray, museumpsychiatry.nl

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