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.