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.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
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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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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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