Best castles around Geetbets offer a glimpse into the region's rich architectural heritage and historical significance. Geetbets is situated on the border of Flemish Brabant and Limburg, featuring a landscape dotted with historical structures. The area provides opportunities to explore various types of castles, from ancient fortified sites to renovated manor farms. These landmarks contribute to the cultural fabric of the municipality.
Last updated: May 3, 2026
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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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Behind Fort Leopold there is a nice steep single track towards Schaffen airport.
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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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An old fort that dates from the war. If there is a guide you can visit it. Really worth it. When you are on top of the fort you have a view over the entire city of Diest. In the fort also live a lot of bats.
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Very dilapidated castle, but the castle farm is still habitable and well maintained.
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beautifully maintained castle with adjacent B&B, nice cycling/hiking trails
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It is a Hotel, Restaurant Aurum, Bistro Richard, Meetings Rooms
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The Castle of Ordingen is located in the village of Ordingen, in the city of Sint-Truiden, south of the Belgian province of Limburg, near the well-known river Melsterbeek. The Castle of Ordingen originated in the early Middle Ages as a border guard of the county of Loon. Later this county became part of the prince-bishopric of Liège. Lords of the castle will rule over Ordingen until the beginning of the 17th century. The commanders of the castle and the Teutonic Order. Then the castle is sold to the land commander of the bailiwick Biesen of the Teutonic Order. Ordingen had 25 commanders during two centuries who were represented on site by stewards, especially in the 18th century. Commander Hendrik van Hoensbroeck made himself noticed by the extensive restoration of the castle. From the French Revolution to the 21st century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the wealthy coal baron Charles Pitteurs-Hiégaeerts acquired the estate. When the man died in 1863, his third son Léon, baron for life and mayor of Ordingen, took possession of the estate. He thoroughly renovated the castle in 1879 and built up a large art collection. The next owner, in 1902, was his unmarried son Antoine. A German bombardment in 1940, difficulties with restoration files and family quarrels were the reason for a new sale. Antoine died in 1962, the castle was sold in 1964 to a general practitioner from Tongeren, Henri Beckers. This owner renovated the western corner tower and the gatehouse. Together with his son Gerard, Henri Beckers ran a restaurant and tavern in the Commandeurshuis. A restoration of 21 years instead of 5 years In 1997, Henri Beckers sold the castle to the current owner, the Bemas company with Richard Sleurs as manager. The restoration of the castle took a little longer than planned: namely 21 instead of 5 years. But when lord of the castle Richard Sleurs (73) does something, he certainly doesn't do things halfway. For example, the hotel has 32 suites, designed by the famous decorator Pieter Porters. Chef Gary Kirchens is at the stove of restaurant Aurum, which has been awarded its first Michelin star since May 2022. In addition to the hotel and restaurant, Bistro Richard, a high-level brasserie, will follow. https://kasteelvanordingen.be/geschiedenis
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Geetbets and its surroundings boast several castles with rich histories. Wijer Castle features a 16th-century keep and a Gothic fireplace, surrounded by a wide moat. Nieuwenhoven Castle has a history dating back to the year 800, with multiple constructions and demolitions over centuries. The Kasteel van Bets, while not a komoot highlight, is a prominent local example with a 17th-century core and neo-Baroque renovations, featuring a distinctive semi-hexagonal corner turret and a moated domain. You can learn more about its history on Wikipedia.
Yes, several castles in the area are noted as family-friendly. Wijer Castle and Nieuwenhoven Castle are both categorized as suitable for families. Ordingen Castle also welcomes families, offering a beautiful setting that has been extensively restored and modernized, with a hotel and restaurant on site.
The area around Geetbets offers various outdoor activities, especially hiking and cycling. You can find numerous trails, such as the 'Path Along the Gete River – Terlenen Castle loop' for hiking, or explore mountain biking and gravel biking routes. For more details on these and other routes, visit the Hiking around Geetbets guide or the MTB Trails around Geetbets guide.
Ordingen Castle is an excellent option, as it has been extensively restored and modernized to include a hotel with 32 rooms and suites, as well as a gourmet restaurant called Aurum and a high-level brasserie, Bistro Richard. Wijer Castle also offers the possibility to stay overnight or dine.
Yes, the Kasteel Van Hoen in Geetbets is primarily known as an event venue. It offers several versatile spaces, such as the 'Grote Schuur' (Large Barn) for up to 1,000 guests, the 'Paardenstal' (Stable) for 100 people, and the 'Woonhuis' (House) for 150 guests, making it suitable for various occasions.
You'll find a blend of architectural styles. Wijer Castle features a 16th-century keep with neo-Gothic battlements added later. The Kasteel van Bets showcases a 17th-century core with distinctive neo-Baroque elements and a semi-hexagonal, corbelled corner turret. Fort Leopold is a rare surviving type of defensive stronghold with a central fortified building and lapel batteries, reflecting 19th-century military architecture.
Yes, Wijer Castle is entirely surrounded by a wide moat, accessible via a stone bridge. The Kasteel van Bets is also situated within a moated domain, adding to its historical charm. The Lobos Manor Farm, while a 19th-century mansion, stands on a site where an older moated castle once stood, with remnants of the moat still visible.
While specific seasonal information for castle visits isn't provided, the region's natural beauty, especially around castles like Nieuwenhoven situated amidst forests and farmland, suggests that spring and autumn would be ideal for pleasant weather and scenic views. These seasons are generally good for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling around the castles.
Yes, Fort Leopold is a significant historical site around Geetbets. It's a brick fort completely dug into the Lazarijberg, designed as a defensive stronghold with a central fortified building and two lapel batteries. It was commissioned in 1844 and is a rare surviving example of its type.
Nieuwenhoven Castle is set amidst beautiful forests and farmland, offering a serene natural environment. The area around Lobos Manor Farm includes a park with remarkable trees and is close to the Bossen van Hees, accessible via a bridge over the Zwarte Beek. While not a castle, Fort Leopold is also categorized as a viewpoint, offering perspectives of the surrounding landscape.
Ordingen Castle has undergone extensive restoration and modernization, transforming it into a luxurious hotel and restaurant while preserving its historical essence. The Kasteel van Bets also saw significant repairs and renovations between 1923 and 1927, incorporating neo-Baroque elements that shaped its current appearance.


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