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Updated: 6-jul-2011
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A little history
Kessel Castle is a typical shell-keep and motte castle. It is situated on the end of a sand ridge at the left bank of the Maas river. It was probably preceded by a wooden strength which stood at this site around 1000 AD. That wooden structure was replaced by a stone one around 1100 and belonged to the Counts of Kessel. Between 1150 and 1200 the construction of the presently remaining, oval enclosure was started by Count Hendrik II. The enclosure measures about 28 by 24 meters. The wall was equipped with a wall walk resting on arches and battlements. In those times the entrance to the castle was between two, small, projecting towers at the northside. The castle was probably more used as a refuge in times of peril while people lived on the bailey. In 1250 a residential building was built inside the enclosure at its northside. This led to relocating the entrance to the castle to a new gate building at the eastside. Under the new wing came a barrel vaulted cellar.
During the 80 Years War the castle was damaged by fires and in the beginning of the 17th century it was repaired and rebuild. By then the castle consisted of four residential quarters within the oval enclosure.
This is one of the oldest remaining castles in the Netherlands and comparable with Leiden Castle.
Location and contact information
Kessel Castle Links |
Kessel Castle is also known as Keverborg Castle.
In 1279 Kessel Castle and all its rights were sold by the last Count of Kessel; Hendrik V, to the Count of
Gelre. Around 1320 a massive, rectangular, projecting keep (7.30 by 4.60 meters) was built on the northeast
corner. Its 1,5 meters thick walls were made of brick and were, from the second floor up, faced with marl.
In 1798 Kessel Castle was inherited by the Keverberg family, after it had been in the possession of the Van
Merwijck family for over two centuries. In 1875 the castle came into the possession of the Congregation of
the Sisters of Divine Providence who used it as a convent and girl boarding school. They even had the castle
renovated in 1927. In 1944 however the castle was blown up by German troops after which the remains burnt
down. It has been a ruin ever since. Since then there have been some consolidation works and excavations by
the well-known (well, in the Netherlands anyhow) Dutch professor JGN. Renaud. Since 1954 the ruins are
property of the local council.
At Kasteelhof 1 in Kessel, tel.nr. 077-4622027.