The ruins of Nijenborgh Castle are situated in the north part of the town of Weert, near the Hoogpoort. The building of this castle probably started in 1455 by Count Jakob I of Horn, who had his ancestral home in Horn Castle.

The complex consisted of a rectangular castle with bailey. The castle was equipped with two square towers with battlements, of which the north one served as a keep, and two, smaller round towers. The castle was connected to its bailey with a bridge. The bailey was also rectangular with a crenellated wall, a gate and small circular towers at the corners. The castle was renovated several times in the 16th century.

In 1579 the castle was taken by the the Spanish commander Parma. The end of the castle however came around August 1702, during the Spanish Wars of Succession; then the castle was destroyed during a siege by the troops of the Duke of Marlborough; John Churchill. From then on the castle ruins were to be used as a stone quarry.

In 1841 the mayor of Weert; Louis Beerenbroek, built a mansion on the foundations of the southern square tower. Also the eastern, round tower was run up. The thickness of the walls of these two towers is 3,5 meters. The other present day remains of the castle is a part of the gate of the bailey, part of the curtain walls and parts of the other two towers.

The mansion still stands and is private property. The moat which separated the castle and the bailey has been filled in but the rest of the moat still remains, although barely. The bailey is now used by a lumber merchant who friendly allowed me entrance to his grounds when I visited. Nijenborgh Castle is relatively unknown.

Location and contact information

At Biest 1 in Weert.
Part private property and part used by a company and thus not accessible.

Nijenborgh Castle Links

• Stichting Limburgse Kastelen
• Mathieu in Wonderland
• My Home Is My Castle

An coat of arms embedded in the wall of the eastern, round tower.

Back to top.