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Broek or Broich means nothing else than'swamp\\\'. In 1388 the area was donated by Heerlen to knight Herman van Hoen. Since then, the Hoen family was called van den Broek and the later Hoensbroek was created.

The hilly Brunssummerheide borders Hoensbroek. The beautiful forest area has nice views of the purple heath, fens and fens. In the summer when the many butterflies flutter, the romantic picture is complete. The Brunssummerheide is particularly humid because of the high moors that still exist there. Its high moisture content makes it an ideal habitat for amphibians and reptiles: it is no exception if you encounter green frogs, grass snakes and sand lizards along the way. Other animals such as the nightjar and the tree pipit also have a good time among plants such as legwort, white beak rush and clubmoss. In addition to the beautiful nature, the history around Hoensbroek has also left an impressive cultural heritage.

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

To keep the Brunssumerheide in top form, a few hundred sheep are sent into the field every day for maintenance. In the evening, the sheep are allowed in the Sheepfold where they are cared for and also get lambs.
If science interests you, you can stop 1 kilometer away at Explorion - Science Center and Observatory Limburg. You get a beautiful view of vast heaths on your retina or study the sun with its sunspots. One of the two domes is equipped with a 120-year-old telescope.

You could easily call Amstenrade Castle the Versailles of Limburg. The original castle was a massive fortress with three round and one square tower. In the current square tower, which was built around 1609, remnants of the old square tower have been incorporated. The current complex is designed in baroque architecture, but flirts with neoclassicism. A beautiful castle park has been laid out in English landscape style around the castle and has eleven hectares. There is a great diversity of trees here. On the grounds you can also see a neoclassical orangery that was built between 1814 and 1825, a coach house from 1784-1788 and the steward's house from 1856.

In Spaubeek you can enjoy the history at the ruins of Castle Ter Borch. This was once an old moated castle, the residential tower of which was located 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. In addition to being a residence, Castle Terborgh also served as aldermen's bench and prison. Around the eighteenth century, members of the famous gang of robbers"de goatriders\\\" were imprisoned here.

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