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Hasselt

Top 20 Castles around Hasselt

Best castles around Hasselt are found in the surrounding Limburg province, a region characterized by its flat to gently rolling landscapes and rich historical tapestry. While Hasselt itself is known for its urban charm, the nearby countryside offers a glimpse into centuries of history through its diverse architectural styles and expansive estates. These sites provide cultural significance and are often set within picturesque natural surroundings.

Best castles around Hasselt

  • The most popular castles is Meylandt Castle, a castle that currently houses the municipal academy of visual arts. The adjacent park is freely accessible to visitors.
  • Another must-see spot is Bokrijk Castle, a castle in Maasland neo-Renaissance style. It is an imposing building at the entrance of the arboretum, offering a historical and natural experience.
  • Visitors also love Wijer Castle, a castle where the original structure has almost disappeared except for the 16th-century keep with a stair tower. The castle is entirely surrounded by a wide moat, fed by the Wijerbeek.
  • Hasselt is known for its variety of historical estates, including grand moated castles, châteaux with renowned gardens, and significant abbey sites. These range from 16th-century red brick fortresses to 18th-century neoclassical residences, each offering a unique historical perspective.
  • The castles around Hasselt are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 440 upvotes and over 160 photos shared by visitors.

Last updated: May 9, 2026

Bokrijk Castle

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Bokrijk Castle is located on the right side of the main entrance of the open-air museum. It is an imposing building at the entrance of the arboretum. Close to Bokrijk Castle and just before the entrance to the Open Air Museum you will also find Bistro Koetshuis. Enjoy yourself in a breathtaking setting.

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Kiewit Castle

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At Domaine de Kiewit, let yourself be surprised by 5 types of garden or go for an adventure-packed walk on (log) paths. The 130 hectares of this public natural area of the city of Hasselt are managed and maintained with the greatest care. Breathe the fresh air and get to know the unique flora and fauna.

Show your children the farm animals and take them for a picnic by the pond. Let them have fun on the playground or in the adventure wood. The (botanical) gardens and the apiary will allow them to observe wonderful insects.
Take a stroll on the fun long-legged trail, a walk of about 2 km, passable for strollers. Settle into a bird's nest or try jumping farther than a deer. Follow our trail
long legs to discover while playing the interesting details and fun places of the Kiewit Estate.
There is even a geocaching route and a family scavenger hunt 'The Mystery of Kiewit'.

In the superb Domaine de Kiewit, the Koe-vert tavern offers you a gourmet welcome. This self-service establishment offers a wide choice of organic, local and fair trade products.

visithasselt.be/fr/domaine-de-kiewit

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Wijer Castle

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Here you can stay overnight or eat something

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Meylandt Castle

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Today Meylandt Castle is home to the municipal academy of visual arts. The adjacent park is freely accessible.

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Lobos Manor Farm

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The Loboskasteel or Loboshoeve is a castle with a farm, located at Lobosstraat 2 in Zelem. It is located in the valley of the Zwarte Beek.

Originally, this was the seat of an allodial lordship. There was a moated castle. In 1465 the then lord of Lobos, Jan Vilters, was garrison superior in Herk-de-Stad, which was besieged by Charles the Bold. He refused to surrender and his castle was destroyed. Only remnants of the moat remain.

The current castle is a 19th century whitewashed brick mansion. The farm is also 19th century, but may have an older core. The farm consists of a house, a stable and a cross barn.

The whole is located in a park with some remarkable trees. A lane, flanked by American oaks, leads to the castle. The Bossen van Hees can be reached via a bridge over the Zwarte Beek.
(info source: wikipedia)

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Ordingen Castle

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Aside from the beauty of Kasteel van Ordingen, the hospitality of owner Richard Sleurs is so remarkable that you immediately feel at home. Like the lord of the castle, enjoy a wonderful holiday between the cities of Liège, Maastricht and Brussels. Gilding, antiques and Flemish Renaissance architecture form the framework for this exceptional hotel, which has been extensively restored and modernized. The 32 rooms and suites, which were designed by the famous interior designer Pieter Porters, also testify to this. Ideal for a relaxing family holiday or a romantic weekend. Enjoy a leisurely ride on the Vespa or a leisurely trip on an electric bike. Drive through the orchards and hills and discover the lush green nature and beautiful landscape of the Limburg province. In the evening, the Kasteel van Ordingen shines in new splendor and an unforgettable dinner in the gourmet restaurant Aurum awaits you. Known for his tasty, responsible and highly creative cuisine, the talented chef Gary Kirchens will delight everyone with his delicious and daring dishes.

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De Burg Castle

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The floor plan of the current castle dates from the time of the widow of Willem I van der Marck Lumey (1485). This castle was rebuilt several times over the centuries and now has a neoclassical appearance. As far as is known, De Burg castle is the oldest castle in Lummen. The castle was first mentioned in 1203 when the Count of Loon, Lodewijk II, donated the castle, along with the allodium Lummen, to the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, to receive it back as a fief. It was a diplomatic instrument during the Loon War. The most famous owner of De Burg was Willem II van der Marck Lumey, a notorious buccaneer nicknamed "Lumey", who conquered Den Briel for William the Silent, Prince of Orange. In 1837, the Stevoort jenever distiller Laurens Renier Palmers (1765-1839) bought the estate from the Duchess of Arenberg. Palmers and his wife Maria Theresia de Borman (1779-1844) were large landowners and also owned the water mills of Lummen, Terlaemen castle with a farm and three water mills in Zolder, Stevoort castle and about ten farms in Stevoort and a house on the Houtmarkt in Hasselt. Through the marriage of Catharina Palmers (1809-1891) to Henri Gerard Briers (1791-1873), De Burg came into the possession of the Hasselt family Briers. Castle De Burg was, as a memorial stone in the gatehouse states, the residence of Briers' grandson, the French-speaking writer Georges Virres, pseudonym of Henry Briers de Lumey (1869-1946), Limburg provincial council member, mayor of Lummen, member of the Royal Commission for Monuments and Landscapes and of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature of Belgium. The castle is currently still inhabited by the Briers de Lumey family. @nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasteel_De_Burg

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Binderveld Moated Castle

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The castle is first mentioned in 1135. Afterwards the castle became dilapidated and it was rebuilt by Hieronymus Van Copis (1635-1653). But the water castle, probably so called because of the ring moat that surrounds the complex, had a turbulent history. In 1636 it was plundered by Croatian troops led by the German Jan, Count von Werth, and in 1637 it was destroyed again, this time by Dutch troops. In 1654, Lorraine troops occupied the castle and in 1728 it burned down completely due to an accident. It was J.B.C. Le Roy, baron van Binderveld, who rebuilt the castle in 1729. We can see this from the date and the coat of arms of Le Roy-Coloba in the facade stone above the door of the living area. It became a semi-closed complex of which the gate tower and the house were preserved. The drawbridge was replaced by a stone bridge in 1865 by the Schrijnmakers family. The chapel had already been replaced in 1842 by the current church of Binderveld.
A few years ago it was transformed into Wijnslot Byrleveldt.

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Tower castle

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Ruin of the tower castle built in 1170 by Louis I, Count of Loon, as a fortified outpost against the city of Sint-Truiden. In 1178 it was taken by Sint-Truiden and partially destroyed. After restoration, the castle was again burned down in 1346 by the inhabitants of Sint-Truiden in their battle against the prince-bishop Engelbert van der Marck. During the battle of Brustem (1467), the people of Liège entrenched themselves in the castle. In 1489, the castle was taken during the feud between the Van der Marck family and Jan van Hoorn and finally demolished. After that, the tower was used as a dovecote for a while and was further demolished by the soldiers of Louis XIV. In the following centuries, the ruin was used as a quarry (building materials).

The original octagonal tower stood on an artificial mound, surrounded by a moat. Built of Lincent stone, with flint facing for the ground floor, replaced by brick after 1500. The tower had five floors; the holes in the floor beams have been preserved, together with three air slots.

The entrance and the hidden staircase that connected the floors were located in the disappeared half. The numerous holes in the interior were cut when the castle served as a dovecote.

A large part of the castle moats are still present, as are the foundations of the square tower on the outer bailey.

The current church is located within the ramparts and replaces the former castle chapel, which was built together with the outer bailey in 1171.

Beautiful landscape formed by the tower ruins, the church with cemetery, the ramparts and the surrounding orchards.

Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Donjon van Brustem, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/23074

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Kortenbos Castle

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Kortenbos Castle, also known as Hotel de Groete Engel, is actually a castle-like enclosed farm at Hasseltsesteenweg 448 in Kortenbos. Built in 1641, it was intended to accommodate pilgrims and is therefore located next to the basilica. In 1646, it was purchased by the Abbot of Averbode Abbey. It was then used as a rectory, while also housing a brewery and a bakehouse. It burned down in 1694 but was rebuilt, with the addition of a new wing. In 1728, the complex was provided with a barn, stables, and a gated entrance topped with a dovecote. Between 1768 and 1791, the surrounding park was expanded. In 1798, the property became privately owned. From 1903 to 1914, however, it was occupied by Benedictine nuns from Caen, who were forced to leave France as a result of secularization policies. In 1981 the buildings and the surroundings were protected as a monument and a village view respectively.

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An 🇧🇪
March 17, 2026, Kasteel van Kiewit

This small castle is actually a neoclassical manor house with accompanying service buildings and a farm complex from the 19th century, situated in a wooded park in a landscape style with remarkable old oaks and beeches.

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The castle of the Lords of Kozen stands at the intersection of three municipalities: Kozen, Wijer, and Stevoort. Strictly speaking, the castle is located on the territory of Wijer, the farmstead is in Kozen, and the barn is in Stevoort. The castle site was once connected to these three villages. The oldest known Lords of Kozen belong to the Van Wesemael family, who lived in the fourteenth century. Around 1400, the manor and castle belonged to the De Diest family, and in the seventeenth century, the De Kerckhem family held sway here. Above one of the gates, a stone can be seen depicting the family's coat of arms twice. It dates from the time when Arnold de Kerckhem and his wife, Annemarie de Kerckhem, who was also his cousin, lived here. As late as the seventeenth century, the castle belonged for a time to the Land Commander of Alden Biesen. In 1699, the Van Afferden family acquired the estate. They are the last lords of Kozen. At the end of the nineteenth century, the castle was owned by a certain Jacquelart. He renovated the castle and gave it its current appearance.

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Kiewit Castle (not to be confused with Kewith Castle) is a small castle in Kiewit, located in the Kiewit Nature Reserve. It is a neoclassical mansion, built in the second half of the 19th century. Originally, this was an estate with several small farms. In 1868, Hubert Dominique Vroonen bought this estate. His son Emile had the mansion built. A park in English landscape style was also constructed. In 1944, the castle was badly damaged. The domain with mansion was bought by the municipality of Hasselt in 1953, and it rented it to the diocese of Hasselt until 1970, which had a meditation center there. From 1970 to 1974, it was occupied by the Trappistine sisters. After this, it was transformed into a public park with, among other things, a petting zoo, and in 1976 it was opened to the public. The country house consists of three bays and has two floors and an attic floor under a mansard roof. The middle bay has an entrance and a balcony resting on pillars above the entrance doors. Behind the castle are service buildings and housing for the staff. Behind that is a semi-enclosed farm whose core dates from the 17th century and was originally built in half-timbered construction.

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beautiful castle in Brustem

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JP
April 19, 2025, Kasteel van Ordingen

Former moated castle. Originally a castle of the Lords of Ordingen; played an important role due to its strategic location on the border of the County of Loon, the Prince-Bishopric of Liège and the Duchy of Limburg; destroyed during the Battle of Brustem (1467), but rebuilt by W. de Horion during the 16th century. Purchased in 1611 by the Land Commandery Alden Biesen, and converted into a Commandery of the Teutonic Order in 1633; the castle remained in that form until the beginning of the 19th century, when P. de Libotton, who had bought the property after its expropriation during the French occupation, replaced the residence of the order's brothers and the chapel with a castle in late-classicist style; this castle was replaced in the second half of the 19th century by the current neo-Renaissance castle, built by order of H. de Pitteurs Hiegaerts. In its current form a moated complex, on the northern bank of the Melsterbeek, and accessible via a wide avenue; the park was divided into plots and cleared in the course of the sixties. The following parts of the 17th-century commandery have been preserved: the gatehouse with guardhouse, a corner tower, and the commander's house. To the southeast, gatehouse with guardhouse: elongated building of eight bays and two storeys under a slightly curved saddle roof (slate) with dormers, and leaning against the northeast facade, a square tower of one bay and three storeys under a hipped roof (weather vanes, and stepped dormer window on the northeast side); the year 1633 on a facade stone with the coat of arms of commander van Amstenraedt. To the north, commander's house: L-shaped building of two storeys under saddle roofs (slate) with dormers. Brick building with wrought iron wall anchors and the use of limestone for corner bands and frames. Stepped southwestern side wall with a round arched window in the top provided with neg blocks, and later built-in facade stone with the date 1740 and coat of arms of the Teutonic Order. The southwestern wing, probably the stable section, is soberly finished: rectangular wall openings (with loading window on the second floor). Now freestanding, western corner tower: square tower of one bay and three floors under a broken tent roof. To the northeast, neo-Renaissance castle from the second half of the 19th century, almost completely rebuilt after the bombing in 1940. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Kasteel van Ordingen, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/23085

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Nice playground on sand. A nice rest for children during a walk. Parents can eat something on the terrace of tavern Koe-vert.

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The Kiewit Visitor Centre is located in a 19th century mansion that was built as a country house for a wealthy family from Liège. Here you can learn more about Natuurpunt in Limburg and the surrounding natural landscape of Kiewit. Come and breathe in the healthy air and get to know the fauna and flora. Regularly, thematic nature walks are organised that start at the Visitor Centre. You can join for free. (Natuurpunt)

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The history of Bokrijk goes back to the thirteenth century when the Count of Loon sold the forest ‘Buscurake’ to the sisters of the abbey of Herkenrode who had a model farm built there. The castle was only built in 1891 by Edgard Maris, a rentier from Hasselt. He had bought the entire Bokrijk estate from the Coghen family in 1889. Maris had a castle built in the Maasland neo-Renaissance style on the site where the old manor farm stood. However, Maris got into financial difficulties and three years later the estate came into the hands of Count Ferdinand de Meeûs, who expanded the castle with a right wing and chapel and laid out the park with roads and avenues. The Count died in 1916 and his family sold the estate to Jewish brokers from Germany. After the liberation, in 1918, the estate was seized. It was not until 1928 that the Boerenbond became the owner and sold the domain to the provincial government of Limburg in 1938. In the fifties, the province decided to set up an open-air museum of rural and urban living and living culture through the centuries, which opened in 1958. In 2008, the castle was renovated again and made suitable for conference rooms, equipped with modern communication means and equipment. (Along castles and fortresses)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of historical sites can I explore near Hasselt?

Beyond traditional castles, the region offers a rich tapestry of historical sites. For instance, the Herkenrode Abbey Site, a former Cistercian nunnery, provides insight into 600 years of history with a museum, gardens, and exhibitions. You can also visit grand moated castles like Alden Biesen Castle, which served as a Teutonic Order headquarters for centuries.

Are there castles near Hasselt known for their gardens?

Yes, Hex Castle is particularly renowned for its exquisite gardens. It features a unique rose garden with approximately 250 varieties, a Chinese garden, and one of the first landscaped parks on the European mainland, inspired by Capability Brown. The gardens are accessible on selected weekends during summer months.

Which castles near Hasselt are family-friendly?

Several castles offer family-friendly experiences. Bokrijk Castle, located at the entrance of an arboretum, provides a blend of history and nature. Kiewit Castle and Meylandt Castle also feature family-friendly amenities and accessible parks.

What outdoor activities can I do near these castles?

The area around Hasselt's castles offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, such as 'Cycling through Water and Heath,' which are moderate in difficulty. For running, trails like the 'Hasselt City and Prinsbeemden Trail' are available. More challenging mountain hikes can be found further afield. Explore more options on the Cycling around Hasselt or Running Trails around Hasselt guide pages.

Can I visit castles that are still privately owned?

While many castles are open to the public, some, like Vogelsanck Castle, remain privately owned. Vogelsanck Castle has been in the de Villenfagne de Vogelsanck family since 1741. Although the interior is not accessible, its historical significance and the beauty of its private domain make it a notable landmark visible from the N72 road.

Are there any castles with unique architectural features?

Yes, Wijer Castle is notable for its 16th-century keep with a stair tower, which is one of the few remaining original structures. It also features a Gothic fireplace and baroque stucco from 1716. The castle is entirely surrounded by a wide moat, fed by the Wijerbeek.

What is the best time of year to visit the castles around Hasselt?

The spring and summer months (April to September) are generally ideal for visiting, as the weather is pleasant for exploring gardens and outdoor areas. This is when sites like Hex Castle open their gardens to the public. Cultural events at Alden Biesen Castle also often take place during these seasons.

Are there castles near Hasselt where I can find cafes or restaurants?

Yes, some historical sites offer dining options. The Herkenrode Abbey Site includes a self-service restaurant. Additionally, Ordingen Castle features a restaurant, and Bistro Koetshuis is located near Bokrijk Castle.

Are there any hidden gem castles or lesser-known historical sites worth visiting?

For a glimpse into a lesser-known historical site, consider Lobos Manor Farm. While the current castle is a 19th-century mansion, it stands on the site of an older moated castle destroyed in 1465. It's located in a park with remarkable trees and offers a tranquil, historically rich experience.

What is the typical duration needed to visit a castle near Hasselt?

The time required varies depending on the site. For a comprehensive visit to a larger complex like Alden Biesen Castle, including its gardens, museum, and potentially a guided tour, you might need 3-4 hours. Smaller sites or those with limited public access, such as the visible exterior of Vogelsanck Castle, might only take a brief stop. The Herkenrode Abbey Site can easily fill a relaxing half-day with its museum, gardens, and walking paths.

Is parking available at these castle locations?

Parking availability varies by location. Many of the larger, publicly accessible sites like Meylandt Castle and the Herkenrode Abbey Site offer dedicated parking facilities. For specific details, it's advisable to check the individual site's official website before your visit.

Are there any castles that have been repurposed or house modern institutions?

Yes, Meylandt Castle currently houses the municipal academy of visual arts, with its adjacent park freely accessible to visitors. Similarly, Alden Biesen Castle functions as a vibrant cultural and conference center, hosting various festivals and events.

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