The best traffic-free bike rides around Herstappe

The Water Castle was the center of the lordship of Millen or Milina, which was a fief of the County of Loon. It was first mentioned in 1143. The oldest known lord was Walter van Millen (Walterus de Milne), who was seneschal to Louis II of Loon. Successively, the lordship was owned by the families de Melin, Proest (1369), van Guygoven (1456), van Berloz (1479), van Houthem (1531), de Fléron (1625) and d’Hemricourt (1741). The castle was first mentioned in 1365. The original castle was transformed into a water castle in the 14th century. It then consisted of the older keep, which was expanded into a square water castle with a gate tower and two side towers. In the first half of the 17th century, the castle, which had fallen into ruin, was converted into a castle. It became a comfortable nobleman's residence without military significance. From the 18th century onwards, the castle was no longer permanently inhabited and fell into disrepair. In 1811, it was bought by baron de Blisia, after which a large part of it was demolished, including the keep and the tower on the southwest side. Only the east and west wings remained and have since served as a farm. In 1972, the remains of the castle were purchased by the municipality and restored. The 14th-century left tower, made of marlstone, has a Gothic vault. It is part of the east wing, the age of which may date back to the 12th century. Today, the castle houses a museum that depicts the life of the nobility in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is also a hub for a number of cycling routes in the surrounding area that focus on the fortified past of the Euregio. The building also houses a tourist café, and the water castle is freely accessible.

Rosmeulen Castle is a historic country house and estate of great architectural and heritage value, located at Neremstraat 229 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. Dating back to the early 20th century, the building represents a unique combination of Neo-Rococo and Art Nouveau architecture, designed for chocolate and gingerbread manufacturer Florent Rosmeulen. Construction of the manor house, originally named La Brise, began around 1911, opposite the Rosmeulen chocolate factory. However, the founder himself never fully occupied the building, partly due to financial difficulties and the impact of the First World War. The building is situated amidst a romantic castle garden in the English landscape style, featuring ponds, lawns, mature trees, walking paths, and a walled vegetable garden, all contributing to the estate's unique atmosphere. The imposing entrance hall features a majestic staircase and stained-glass windows, while the exterior facades are richly ornamented with features such as bay windows, colonnades, and a round tower under a domed roof. During the First and Second World Wars, the castle was used by German and later American troops, respectively, reflecting its strategic location and the building's role during that time. After the war, the manor changed owners several times. Families such as Duesberg-Bossen Blijweert and Riskin lived there, and the Riskin family, in particular, carried out maintenance and renovation work for many years. In mid-2020, the castle was purchased by Dirk and Bie D'haese, who began a thorough restoration to restore the dilapidated building to its former glory. Their goal is not only to preserve the heritage but also to open the castle and park for use by associations and for events, with spaces such as a large hall of over 300 m² available. The castle is included in the Inventory of Immovable Heritage of Flanders for its architectural value, rich ornamentation, and its location in a historic park with a pond. Rosmeulen Castle, together with the former Rosmeulen chocolate factory and the surrounding landscape, forms a recognizable and valuable ensemble in Nerem with ties to the local industrial culture of the early 20th century, the social history of the region, and today's heritage conservation.

The builder of Rosmeulen Castle was Florent Rosmeulen, owner of the former gingerbread and chocolate factory across Neremstraat. He commissioned the castle's construction in 1913. Due to financial difficulties and theft, the interior was never completed. At the time of Florent Rosmeulen's death in 1943, the builder had never lived in his castle. During World War II, American soldiers were stationed in the castle. They used the building for housing and as a laundry. During the war, the castle was subject to vandalism by the soldiers, and afterward, civilians stole all kinds of useful materials. After World War II, the castle came into the hands of Hubert Duesberg-Bosson, who also bought the former chocolate factory across the street. He installed a textile machinery factory there. He used the castle as office space, a telephone room, a dining room, accommodation, and restrooms. Between 1966 and 1972, Luc Blijweert owned the castle, after which it passed into the hands of the Riskin family. Jean Riskin established a tin factory in the former chocolate factory. The castle underwent a thorough renovation, including a complete refurbishment of the ground floor, installation of electricity and central heating, construction of the swimming pool building and tunnel, and restoration of the gardens, ponds, and balustrades. Jean Riskin lived at Rosmeulen Castle for 44 years, from 1972 until his death in 2016. Unfortunately, the building and grounds were barely maintained after his death. In mid-2020, Dirk D'haese, a cardiologist active in the assisted living sector, purchased Rosmeulen Castle. Since then, the castle and grounds have undergone a thorough restoration and renovation.

The current tower was rebuilt in 1580 and 1734, extended by a nave and a choir from the sixteenth century and partially restored in 1898 by the Liège architect Hubert Froment

lovely rolling landscape from village to village and a stopover in Maastricht... recommended!!!

A chair and a bench to enjoy all the natural beauty from a lonely height.

A chair and a bench at a lonely height to enjoy all the natural beauty.

Artist Hans Lemmen presents his artwork "Landmark Roman Villa": https://youtu.be/FdFZ_uXlCGU?si=ituruQ5ObLXL-P1P