It wouldn't be the weekend without some kind of new adventure, so when we got a day with no prior commitments, we headed out to explore. With sunshine and blue skies for motivation, we headed to the Netherlands to see Kasteel Hoensbroek. Just inside the castle walls is a lovely little cafe.
Another lunch at a castle? Is someone getting a little spoiled? Why, yes, I am. Let's face it, if someone said you could eat a delicious lunch on a cobble stone terrace beside a castle, would you turn it down? Didn't think so. 
A full kid is a happy kid. Especially when frites are involved.
Hoensbroek Castle was actually built in five periods, beginning in 1375 and ending in 1725. With each stage, it grew just a little bit more. 
Every castle needs a princess.
This is the main hall of the castle and was built in the 17th century. The portrait over the fire place is of Anna Catharina von Schonborn. The chandelier was beautiful, and the detail in the flooring was very impressive.
This room is the Hoensbroek family dining room. There is another, more formal dining room in another section of the castle.
This portrait is on the ceiling of the dining room, and is of Venus, the goddess of love and fortune.
I think my favorite part of the castle is when we climbed up the medieval turret. It has a tiny, circular stairway, just about shoulder width. From the top, you have a fantastic view of the castle courtyard. If you are claustrophobic, you might want to give this climb a pass, but if not, it's very cool! If you head down another staircase, you end up in the dungeon. 
Apparently their bathrooms were pretty basic. This is medieval indoor plumbing.
Here a lovely map of the castle. If you can read Dutch, you can find your way around quite nicely. 
This is the castle school room. They have just about everything that you could need inside the castle walls, from a school to a chapel.
This room is the Hoensbroek family dining room. There is another, more formal dining room in another section of the castle.This portrait is on the ceiling of the dining room, and is of Venus, the goddess of love and fortune.I think my favorite part of the castle is when we climbed up the medieval turret. It has a tiny, circular stairway, just about shoulder width. From the top, you have a fantastic view of the castle courtyard. If you are claustrophobic, you might want to give this climb a pass, but if not, it's very cool! If you head down another staircase, you end up in the dungeon. Apparently their bathrooms were pretty basic. This is medieval indoor plumbing.Here a lovely map of the castle. If you can read Dutch, you can find your way around quite nicely. This is the castle school room. They have just about everything that you could need inside the castle walls, from a school to a chapel.In all, it was a fantastic day. It's so interesting to be able to wander around the castle and see how the Lords of Hoensbroek used to live. If you are interested in more information about the castle, their web site is http://www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl/html/?me=2&su=0&si=3. If you click on the tab on the top left of the page, you can choose English.
Looks like so much fun!! Have a beer for me!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gretchen! I will, but it would be more fun if you were here, too!
ReplyDelete