Name: Stein Castle Ruins
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Stein Castle Ruins

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Stein

Stein Castle Ruins

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Location: Stein, Limburg, Netherlands

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Best Hikes to Stein Castle Ruins

4.3

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1. Stein Castle Ruins – Stein Castle loop from Stein

9.81km

02:34

70m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.8

(24)

161

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2. Brouwerij De Fontein – Elsloo Castle loop from Elsloo

11.9km

03:06

70m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(16)

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3. Stein Castle – Stein Castle Ruins loop from Oud-Stein

9.84km

02:34

70m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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☀️Patrick & Nicole ☀️

July 22, 2020

Introduction Stein Castle

Stein Castle is perhaps the most interesting monument in Stein's younger history. It is located in the Putbeek valley, a stone's throw from the Archeology Museum. The castle dates from the early 13th century, when Stein emerged as an independent Free State from a former Carolingian royal estate under the sovereignty of a lord or baron. Both to secure and protect his territory and his subjects and in recognition of his overlordship, he owned the right of a resilient castle.

The choice of place where the castle was located is a result of strategic considerations: natural defensive options such as water and heights could be used. The castle is built on an elevated mountain and surrounded by moats so that one can speak of a moated castle of the castle hill type. It consists of two parts: a fortress with the service buildings, which was separated from the main castle by an in-between moat, in which the lord of the castle and his family were housed.

If you now take a critical look at the remains of the castle, you will discover a multitude of architectural styles, which is the result of seven centuries of history: expansion, demolition, adaptation and renovation.

Translated by Google •

May 12, 2025

The ruins of Stein Castle are a so-called moated castle, built on a so-called 'motte'. It consists of two parts, an outer bailey with service buildings, separated from the main castle. There was probably already a fortification on the castle hill around 1220. Around 1300 a moated castle was built, of which a ruin still remains.

The outer bailey and main castle are inseparable. They were separated by a wide moat.

The lower-lying Benedenste Slot regulated traffic with the outside world. In addition to security, it mainly served economic purposes. The service personnel lived there and the military was stationed there. To get there, one had to cross a wide moat with a drawbridge from the village. Since the 18th century, this has been closed and spanned by a fixed bridge. The buildings of this "Voorgeborgte" have been completely renovated in later times and rest under water on older, thicker marl walls.

The entrance hall with gate under a late Gothic bluestone arch (16th century) was a Valkenburg fief in the Middle Ages (the White Gate). This was expanded around 1730 into a complete tower, covered with a mansard roof.

Above the entrance and in the weather vane is the coat of arms of the Merode's. In the late Middle Ages, the Lordship of Stein was owned by the Merode family.

The gate was enclosed by low brick buildings with eastern and western cross-wings, which were replaced in the 19th century by a mansion (the new castle) and a commercial building (coach house).

Source and more information at stichtingerfgoedstein.nl/over-het-museum/kasteelruine-stein/de-kasteelruine

For a while, priests and sisters also lived in the castle, which is also known as the mission house and of which the monastery cemetery and a memorial column at the entrance bear witness.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 40 m

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Thursday 18 September

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Take Me There

Location: Stein, Limburg, Netherlands

Stein Castle Ruins

1. Stein Castle Ruins – Stein Castle loop from Stein

2. Brouwerij De Fontein – Elsloo Castle loop from Elsloo

3. Stein Castle – Stein Castle Ruins loop from Oud-Stein

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