Historic sites along the border

Along the edge of the Limburg capital Maastricht lie picturesque villages and the border with Belgium. These play the leading role in this route, which also introduces you to a part of the country of our southern neighbours. The rolling plain offers magnificent views over seas of green. The village of Cadier en Keer is surrounded by rustic farmlands, old forests and two vineyards; a spectacular panorama! Then you cycle on to the Meschermolen. The Meschermolen is an overshot watermill from 1699. It was used as a corn mill and it is the first watermill on the Voer stream. The mill was in service for centuries and was only shut down at the beginning of 1950. The mill was no longer needed then, because an electric hammer mill was installed in the village. Between 1996 and 1998 the mill was restored and made operational again. The mill can be visited by appointment. The last mill you will encounter during your cycle tour is the Graanmolen van Eijsden. This watermill was built in 1857. This mill, which was used as a corn mill, replaced its predecessor that was built in 1788. One of the three couples present can be driven electrically so that the mill could also turn at low tide. The mill was in use until the beginning of 1950 and then fell into disrepair. The mill was last restored in 1975 but is no longer in use. The last sight on the route is Libeek Castle. Until 2011, Libeek, or Liebik as the Limburgers call it, was part of Margraten. The place was founded in the thirteenth century and in the village is the Libeek farm, the oldest parts of which also date from the thirteenth century. There used to be a knightly house on this site, but after the castle changed owners in the sixteenth century, the fortress was gradually converted into a leasehold farm. Libeek has the largest farm in Limburg, which is built around a square courtyard and the house, which is made of marlstone, was built and improved in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.