Kinkelenburg Castle, Bemmel, Netherlands

The earliest mention of Kinkelenburg castle dates from 1403, when Johan van Ambe was lent 'a house and a homestead with waterways and moat at Bemmel'. The castle probably consisted then of a square stone tower-house (built around 1300), the foundations of which lie beneath the present building. Soon afterwards, the status of village castle was changed to the present 'Huis te Bemmel'. Kinkelenburg was converted in the 18th century into a stately manor. During WWII, the municipality commandeered the building as emergency accommodation for the damaged town hall in the Dorpsstraat. Kinkelenburg was the only big building in Bemmel that still had a watertight roof.

After the war, the municipality decided to remain here, but the ruined castle would first have to be restored. Despite its impressive history, the restorers found nothing more of historical interest than a few coins in the attic and a dented tin can in the ditch.

The interior now has beautiful wall panels, acquired for a nominal price from the Huize Heyendaal, Nijmegen, and originating from an Amsterdam canalside house. A ceiling painting by Hubert Estourgie (1924-1982) tells about the origin of the Betuwe region.

References:

Exciting History

User Reviews

Willie Post sr. (3 years ago)
A beautiful castle for special moments, with an attractive bridge over a beautiful moat and a beautiful room for special meetings.

Anja Zwaan (3 years ago)
Nice place. For us the end of a car castle route. The castle serves as the town hall.

Jos Hendriks (3 years ago)
Nice but relatively small castle with a beautiful walking path behind the castle (Zwitserspad). Didn't see an entrance for someone with a wheelchair.

the Neighbour Photography (4 years ago)
This 13th century castle is used by the municipality of Lingewaard. You can use the wedding hall here, among other things. Furthermore, the castle is not wheelchair friendly. The wedding room is also only accessible via the stairs on the 1st floor. But if you are in the area and have time, I would definitely take a look. What does detract from the castle at the moment are those blue barracks in front of it. Fortunately, it is temporary and they will leave when the restoration of the town hall is finished.

Castle Biker (5 years ago)
Hele mooie en unieke combinatie van een oud kasteel met daaraan vast een nieuw kasteel, eigenlijk totaal niet bij elkaar passend. Maar dat maakt het juist mooi. Je kunt er vrij omheen wandelen, er is geen hek of iets dergelijks.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Roman Moško

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Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.

History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.

Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.

Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.

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