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Updated: 16-dec-2009
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A little historyThe 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 this 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 stairscases within. In medieval times it
would have had battlements
The buildings on the two baileys were built in the 17th century and were used as farmbuildings. In 1717 the medieval part of the castle collapsed. After that a new, 18th century castle was built on its foundations.
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.
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. The castle has its own website at Kasteel Hoensbroek.
At Klinkertstraat 118 in Hoensbroek, tel.nr. 045-5227272.
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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 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.
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 1980's when it was again restored.
Location and contact information