Bleijenbeek Castle

Bleijenbeek Castle, locally known as Kasteel Bleijenbeek, lies near the village of Afferden, in the Limburg province in the Netherlands.

Bleijenbeek Castle was built around 1350 as a moated farm with a simple keep. A Van Mirlaer family resided there.

In 1405 the castle became property of a Wynant Schenck. During the 15th century, the castle was strengthened and the old keep was incorporated in a newly built residential hall. Also a curtain wall and two corner towers; a square and a round one were added Again in the 16th century the castle was enlarged with another residential building and new moats.

In 1579 the castle was owned by the military commander Maarten Schenck van Nydeggen. It was severely damaged and plundered during a siege by the Spaniards in 1589.

During the 17th century, the castle was radically altered. A lot of the medieval architectural details disappeared as it was rebuilt, reusing the old building material, as a stately mansion. It are mostly the remains of this building period we see today.

By 1872 the castle was used a Jesuit convent and a chapel was built at the west side of the castle. In 1911 a fire struck the bailey. It burned down, but was rebuilt shortly after. In 1917 the castle was the property of a merchant from Rotterdam, W. Prins. He sold it to the Jurgens family from Nijmegen.

The castle was destroyed in 1945 when it was bombed by the Allies, who were trying to dislodge German soldiers. It was never rebuilt and fell to ruin.

During the last decade, Bleijenbeek Castle has been consolidated. It can now be visited on appointment with a guide for a fee. A nice ruin.

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