The sights around Hoesbroek

Broek or Broich simply means "swamp." In 1388, the area was granted by Heerlen to Knight Herman van Hoen. From then on, the Hoen family was called van den Broek, and what later became Hoensbroek was born.

The rolling Brunssummerheide borders Hoensbroek. This beautiful woodland offers lovely views of the purple heather, fens, and moors. In summer, when the many butterflies flutter about, the romantic scene is complete. The Brunssummerheide is particularly humid due to the raised bog that still exists there. The high moisture content makes it an ideal habitat for amphibians and reptiles: it's not uncommon to encounter green frogs, grass snakes, and sand lizards along the way. Other animals, such as the nightjar and the tree pipit, also thrive among plants like bog asphodel, white beaked sedge, and clubmoss. Besides the beautiful natural surroundings, the history surrounding Hoensbroek has also left behind an impressive cultural heritage.

Meezenbroeck Castle is just 1.5 kilometers away. Although the main building was demolished around 1935, there's still much to see. Because the castle was originally built in the Caumerbeek valley, the water could be dammed up and filled the moats and two southern fishponds. These water features now form the centerpiece of a neighborhood park. The still-existing castle farm, like the main building, was surrounded by a moat, but because many buildings were demolished and later reconstructed, the only remaining historical element is the gatehouse.

To keep the Brunssumerheide in top condition, a few hundred sheep are sent out into the fields daily for maintenance. In the evenings, the sheep are allowed to return to the sheepfold, where they are cared for and also have lambs.
If you're interested in science, you can stop at the Explorion Science Center and Limburg Observatory, just a kilometer away. Enjoy stunning views of the vast heathland, or study the sun and its sunspots. One of the two domes is equipped with a 120-year-old telescope.

Amstenrade Castle could easily be called the Versailles of Limburg. The original castle was a massive fortress with three round towers and one square tower. The current square tower, built around 1609, incorporates remnants of the old square tower. The current complex is designed in the Baroque style, but flirts with neoclassical style. A beautiful park, eleven hectares in the English landscape style, surrounds the castle and boasts a wide variety of trees. The grounds also feature a neoclassical orangery built between 1814 and 1825, a coach house from 1784-1788, and the steward's residence from 1856.

In Spaubeek, you can soak up history at the ruins of Ter Borch Castle. This was once an old moated castle, with its residential tower situated on a raised island behind the current building complex. This house was also called Huis Schinnen, the Upper House, and Terborgh, and was already inhabited in 1285. Besides being a residence, Terborgh Castle served as a court and prison. Around the eighteenth century, members of the notorious gang of robbers, "the goat riders," were imprisoned here.

From the viaduct over the A76, you can see the traffic rushing by below. You'll notice that the private manor house Terlinden is located right on the highway. Although nothing is known about its appearance, Terlinden was already mentioned in the fourteenth century.