The sights of Heerlen

Well-known, larger cities are bustling in Limburg! Heerlen is one of the largest municipalities in Limburg. Heerlen was traditionally quite isolated because there were no good access roads and the city was therefore hidden between the hills. The city was self-sufficient and generated a lot of income from mining. It was not until 1896 that Heerlen got a station and a connection to the Dutch railway network, which opened up the city to the surrounding area. Due to flourishing trade, the town has grown into the city it is today, with all kinds of beautiful sights that are worth a visit. Van Steithagen was a Dutch noble family that owned house Streithagen. It was located on the Weltervijver, together with the Weltermolen. The house is a rectangular building that was extensively renovated and refurbished around 1860 into a villa in eclectic style. The south side is adorned by a large terrace. The Weltermolen is located on the same site on the Weltervijver, which is fed by the Geleenbeek. The history of the Weltermolen goes back to 1381. According to the writings, the mill belonged to the Van Streithagen family. The current mill is an impressive building with a Mansard roof, dormers and a tower. Ter Worm Castle is part of the Ter Worm estate of the same name. The current complex was built in the seventeenth century on the site of its predecessor from the fifteenth century. During the twentieth century, the castle fell into serious disrepair, until it was bought by the Van der Valk hotel chain, who restored the castle and established a hotel there. Prickenis Castle is also worth a moment to stop and look at. It is a beautiful complex first mentioned in 1381. The various economic buildings surround the courtyard. Nowadays, the estate is also called Klein Geitsbach. Because the house is inhabited, it cannot be visited. Another beautiful castle is Hoensbroek, also called Gebrookhoes. It is one of the largest castles in the Netherlands. The high round tower of the imposing building dates from around 1360, but around 1225 there was already a motte as a precursor to the immense building on this site. Because the location of the complex was very strategic, on important trade routes to Maastricht, Aachen and Cologne, this castle was developed into the largest castle between the Maas and the Rhine. The connoisseur sees various architectural styles from the fourteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in the architecture of the complex. There is a wide moat around it and has a rectangular courtyard. The outer baileys are both built in a U-shape. The largest part is the castle building, which covers three quarters of the complex. Then the route takes you to Meezenbroeck castle. 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 dammed up and filled the moats and two southern fish ponds. These water features now form the centrepiece of a neighbourhood 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. The last sight of Heerlen is De Oliemolen. This watermill from the 16th century did not always press oil from oil-bearing seeds: its first function was to full wool. In 1829, the mill was granted a permit to grind grain and from 1905 that was the only function of the mill. At present, wheat is still ground on a voluntary basis, with the mill being driven by water power.