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. (4 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 (4 years ago)
Nice place. For us the end of a car castle route. The castle serves as the town hall.

Jos Hendriks (4 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 (5 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 (6 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 Klearchos Kapoutsis

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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

Kinkelenburg Castle

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