Castle ruins Batenburg - Batenburg

Once a majestic castle, now only a ruin remains. The Batenburg castle ruins are among the oldest castles in Gelderland. The exact construction date is uncertain. An old gate stone even claimed that as early as the fourth century, a predecessor of the castle stood here on the remains of a Roman temple. What is certain is that the castle was first mentioned in writing in the 11th century, when the Lords of Batenburg appeared in historical records.

Over the centuries, the castle passed through the hands of various noble families. It was besieged and badly damaged multiple times, but always repaired and expanded again. The former castle stood elevated in the landscape, as it was built on a motte – an artificial hill offering extra protection.

The final blow came in 1794, when French troops completely destroyed the castle. After that, the remaining walls and towers continued to deteriorate. In the 19th century, locals even used the ruins as a quarry, leading to further loss. Much later, between 1988 and 1992, action was taken to stop the decay. Through a stabilising restoration, the preservation of the ruin was ensured, deliberately keeping its romantic character and overgrown look. Today, you can visit the ruin with a guide.

Source photo: www.glk.nl