The hinterland of Maaseik

Kessenich borders the Maas, one of the largest rivers that flows through our country. It used to be an important shipping route, although it was sometimes difficult to navigate the Meuse. That problem worsened because in 1843 our southern neighbors built the Bocholt-Herentals canal and tapped water from the Maas to irrigate infertile Kempen lands. Despite the fact that a treaty was concluded in 1863 to solve this problem for the Netherlands, hard work was done from 1915 on to increase the water supply of the Meuse by building weirs, constructing canals and cutting off Meuse bends. Because the height of the water is highly dependent on rainfall, the water is meters high in winter, while the river is almost dry in summer.

And the environment is beautiful. The Maas has shaped the landscape and the river itself has many faces. Under a radiant sun the river looks rustic, but when the weather is less good, the Maas turns into a swirling mass of water. Beautiful ponds, marshes, flower-rich grasslands and rugged forests on the banks are grazed by Konik horses and Galloway cattle. The area is used to extract gravel and has created so many peat paths and gravel ridges that are wonderful to explore.

Cycle to the Armenmolen, one of the few remaining water mills still on the Ittersebeek. The Armenmolen is a water mill that was used to grind corn. The undershot water mill was built in 1686 to give poorer people the opportunity to have their grain milled. The mill performed its function until 1950. The exterior still looks authentic, but the Armenmolen is now used as a home.

From the Armenmolen you cycle to Ter Motten Castle. This beautiful castle stands on the spot where another castle or motte probably once stood. The current Baroque castle was built in 1725. When the Rijksweg was constructed in 1812, the accompanying park was divided in two. In 1932, another wing was added to the rear facade. The interior contains several eighteenth- and nineteenth-century fireplaces. Some contain Delft blue tiles.