Majestic castles in Sittard-Geleen

Kasteel Obbicht is situated on the site of a medieval stronghold which was destroyed by Spanish troops during the Dutch War of Independence. The castle underwent repair, but once again succumbed to the ravages of war at the beginning of the 18th century. The ruins were replaced by the current structure in 1780. In 1954 the new castle burnt down in a fire, but thanks to successful renovations between 1975 and 1988, it was restored to its former glory. The castle and the farm attached to it are now on the national register of listed buildings.

There was mention of a castle in Born as early as 1150, close to where the current ruins stand. The castle fell into disrepair in the early 17th century, whereupon the De Leerodt family embarked on the construction of a new castle in 1662. Sadly, that building, occupied by the Barbou van Roosteren family, was destroyed in a deadly fire in 1930. The gardens surrounding the ruins now serve as wildlife park where you can marvel at a large number of exotic animals.

In the twelfth century a donjon - a fortified tower which served as a dwelling - stood on this site, rebuilt around 1250. The last witch trials were held in Kasteel Limbricht in 1674. The castle was taken by French troops in 1794. After a short interlude, the Michiels van Kessenich family became its next proprietors in 1810: the castle was used as a hunting lodge, so it remained uninhabited for long periods. In 1814, the castle served as a temporary hospital for sick and injured French soldiers returning from the Battle of Leipzig. In the First World War, the castle functioned as an internment camp for German prisoners of war.

Kasteel Wolfrath, surrounded by woods and orchards, was built between 1615 and 1663. The castle was originally a farmstead. At the beginning of the 17th century, the farm was enlarged by the Van Bentinck family and became a moated castle. The Van Bentinck-Van Breyll coat of arms adorns the gatehouse.

The centre of Sittard also houses the smallest castle in the Netherlands. The former coach house Casa Mia, currently operating as a Bed & Breakfast in Parklaan, was known formerly as Den Diek. The birthplace of Sittard’s most famous son, Toon Hermans, once stood in this street. Casa Mia has a long history and is a listed building.

Kasteel Grasbroek is situated between the two villages of Born and Limbricht. The current building is a rectangular two-storey house with cellars and is compact in size. It has curved side-gables which incorporate no fewer than 63 embrasures. On the east corner, the castle has a circular, masonry stair tower with alternate layers of brick and marlstone. Inside, the wooden core of the stairwell is formed by a tree trunk which was integrated into the original construction more than 400 years ago. On the west corner, diagonally opposite, is a wall-mounted turret, or bartizan.