Pietersheim Castle Lanaken

Pietersheim Castle and Fortress were the seat of the lordship of Pietersheim. Remains of the 12th-century water castle Pietersheim bear witness to a long history. Just outside the castle site, on the site of the former moated castle courtyard, is 'Kasteel Pietersheim', which in its current neoclassical form dates from the early 20th century.
The oldest archaeological evidence of a castle on this site dates from the last quarter of the 11th century and the first quarter of the 12th century. It was not until 1227 that the seigniory was first mentioned in writing and in 1292 there was mention of: our house in Pietersheim, with tower, inner and outer fortress. It was a moated castle of the ring wall type, which was destroyed in 1378 by troops from the Prince-Bishopric of Liège and Tongeren. The castle consisted of a polygonal outer wall, against which the buildings were situated on the inside. In the end there were three concentric moats that surrounded the castle, which also included an outer bailey and chapel, and fortified entrances.
Renovations took place regularly. The Van Merode family, who acquired the castle and lordship in 1449, further expanded the castle. A corps de logis and a kitchen wing were added, but the castle, whose medieval part had fallen into ruin, also retained a military function, for which purpose two rectangular casemates were built near the ruins.
This proved necessary, because in 1569 the castle was besieged by the (Spanish-minded) Gerard van Groesbeek and in 1579 it was taken by the Duke of Parma, who subsequently established his headquarters there during the Siege of Maastricht (1579). In 1670, all defenses had to be demolished by order of the Prince-Bishop of Liège. Since then, the castle fell into disrepair, and in 1721 part of the corps de logis even collapsed, killing the painter Philippe Coclers.
In 1792 a new castle was built on the site of the old castle farm. In 1836 the old castle burned down, and then it was demolished except for the chapel. The new castle was also destroyed by fire in 1909. In 1910, a new castle was built on the basis of the remains. With materials from the demolished castle farms, the marlstone stables were built next to the gatehouse of the old castle. The castle of 1910 also burned down, in 1920. Restoration followed and was completed in 1926. In 1971 the castle, with adjacent domain, was purchased by the municipality of Lanaken. In 2017, the municipality of Lanaken sold the castle to Gelderburg Estates.
The ruins of part of the old ring castle are still present. The rampart and the inner moat are still clearly recognizable. In addition, the central part of the gatehouse of the old castle is still present. There is also the chapel from the last quarter of the 14th century. When the castle was demolished in 1836, the chapel served as a hay barn.
The new, 20th-century castle is a stately mansion whose triangular pediment stands out. The castle is surrounded by an English landscape-style park.
The moated castle was restored and reopened in 2010. Today the castle ruins serve as a gateway to the Hoge Kempen National Park with information about the National Park, the history of the castle and stories about the knights and noblemen of Pietersheim and Lanaken. The castle is the starting point for various walks in the national park. Walks in the Pietersheim hiking area are mainly characterized by dense pine forests, old beech avenues, junipers and the vastness of the forests, especially the Pietersheim forest. In the north of the hiking area are the valleys of the Zijpbeek and the Neerharerheide, which are characterized by gale bushes, panoramic views and one of the quietest places in the Hoge Kempen National Park.
Other facilities at the entrance gate of Pietersheim are: a petting zoo, a playground, bicycle rental, a cafeteria, a hotel and a gnome trail.

[@followthesun4510]

Het kasteel is on a beautiful location nicely shown with your drone! I could definitely live there, thanks for the great share 👌🔥💚🌞

[@aViewFromDownAndAbove]

Thank you, I would also love to live there but good thing is, it is an hotel 😀

[@Retroscoop]

Inder-deed

[@aViewFromDownAndAbove]

Please subscribe to my channel for travel destinations, cities, nature and more! Thanks !

[@PressTheRedDot]

Very nice!

[@aViewFromDownAndAbove]

Thanks !

[@Retroscoop]

0:18 Eigenaardig, die gele vlekken in het gras: zaten daar vroeger bloembedden of tuinpaden ? Eigenlijk verdient deze plek een enorme rozentuin of iets dergelijks, ipv het wat saaie gras.

[@aViewFromDownAndAbove]

Er worden regelmatig markten en feesten gehouden op dat gras en zal daar wel van zijn. Ook is het de laatste jaren en ook weer recent van eigenaar gewisseld. Misschien dat er nu verbetering gaat komen, het is absoluut een schitterend kasteel en toch wel goed onderhouden verder.