Bongard Castle

Bongard Castle, locally known as Kasteel de Bongard, lies in the village of Bocholtz, in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands.

Bongard Castle was first mentioned in 1372 and was probably built earlier that century by the Bongard family, a local noble family who were already influential in this area around 1300.

In 1523 it was owned by Bernard van Bongard. He built the present castle on the foundations of its moated predecessor in the style of the Mosan Renaissance. He added 4 round corner towers to the castle in 1550. Then it had a square ground plan with a square gate tower and 4 round corner towers.

The castle was owned by the Bongard family, and their descendants the Von der Leyen family, until 1783. Then Count Francois Charles von der Leyen sold it to Baroness Marie Barbe de Rochow. In 1795, during the French Revolution the castle was confiscated and later sold to commoners. During the 19th century the castle was reduced greatly until only 2 wings, one between the gate tower and one corner tower and the other against the corner tower, remained.

At present Bongard Castle is a private residence. It can not be visited. A very nice castle.

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