Siebengewald, Gennep and Afferden

On an elongated, high sandy ridge between the Meuse and the German border, there are relatively young conifers and heather plants, which were planted on what was once drifting sand. As a result, the sand no longer drifts, but this sand has largely determined the appearance of the area; National Park"De Maasduinen\\\" is a terraced landscape consisting of lower and higher sandy soils, the Maas valley and a plateau. The estate"de Hamert\\\", as the area was called until 1998, forms the heart of the forest and heathlands that cover approximately 45 hectares. The forests are kept young in a natural way: Galloways, sheep and goats are used to prevent the area from becoming overgrown. The Bergherbos is part of the beautiful De Maasduinen National Park. In this uninterrupted green, undulating piece of Limburg's landscape, you will be surprised by the presence of drifting sands, but the fens are also very special. Bergerbos used to be a raised bog area, which was treacherously dangerous for visitors. Those who sank into the swamp were never found again. The current inhabitants of the green oasis are badgers and the water attracts reptiles and amphibians, including the rare natterjack toad and the moor frog. Dragonflies and damselflies float above the water and when it starts to get dark, bats show up. The whistle of the nightjar also resounds between the tree trunks and in winter dozens of cranes use the sheltered area as a resting place. The current Heijen (Heyen) castle was built in the sixteenth century on two heights in the floodplains of the Maas. It was an almost impregnable fortress, because the natural force of the water protected the defenders. The Maas regularly flooded the area and the castle was located in the middle of the water. The outer bailey of Heijen Castle consists of several buildings and the oldest part of the castle is the basement, which is located under the main room, the hall. The south facade has some decorative turrets on the steps of the stepped gable, which shows that this wall was built during the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. The other buildings of the main castle, the dining hall, the stable and the gate tower, were built in the eighteenth century or later. You will also find a steward's house and tenant's house, farms, a tithe barn and a cart shed on the outer bailey. During the Eighty Years' War, Thomas de Hodaye, who helped the Spanish troops, escaped through the window in the prison room. He was helped in this by his lover, who rowed across the Meuse and gave him the tools with which he could escape from his dungeon.