The best traffic-free bike rides around Leudal

I once lived in a place where it was narrower (Bocholtz), it's just how you define 'the narrowest bit'. Spijk lies behind a line from border to border that is only 2 km. But nicely found for Nieuwstad and the surrounding area.

Very beautiful. You can look far away from here with the winding Maas at your feet.

cycle path through the forest

Gotta love the Dutch cycling highways.

The dam has been around for 100 years

The weir in Linne is 100 years old

Linne is located close to the Maas lakes, the weir and the locks

Limbricht Castle is one of the oldest and most impressive castles in the Dutch province of Limburg, located in the village of Limbricht, which is part of the municipality of Sittard-Geleen. The castle's history dates back to before 1100, and over the centuries it has served not only as a stronghold and residence for noble families, but also as a military hospital and prison, and since the 20th century, as a cultural monument and event venue. The castle's rich development reflects the turbulent history of South Limburg itself. A fortified residence was likely built on the site where the current castle stands in the early Middle Ages. In the 11th century, the first constructions of a motte-and-bailey castle arose here: a wooden tower on an artificial hill (called a motte), surrounded by a moat and protected by a farmyard and small churches. During this early period, the castle was an important center of power in the region. Around 1200, the wooden tower was replaced by a stone keep (a fortified tower that served as a residential tower). Fragments of this oldest stone layer can still be found in the cellar vaults of the current castle. Moreover, medieval sources (such as those mentioning the Lords of Lemborch) indicate that the castle already represented a local power at that time. The most important phase in the castle's construction occurred in the 17th century. In 1619, Baron Nicolaas van Breyll inherited the free lordship of Limbricht and, around 1622, commissioned the construction of the current Renaissance castle on the enlarged motte. Around 1630, a large outer bailey was constructed, giving the complex its current structure. A central castle on a surrounding moat was connected to a spacious outer bailey with outbuildings. The castle is a rare example of a motte-and-bailey castle in the Netherlands, a fortified residence with a moat and four wings surrounding a courtyard from which the Lords of Limbricht controlled their land and rights. The structure displays 17th-century Maasland Renaissance features, with window frames made of Namur stone and the expanse of the hill on which it rests. In 1955, the Limbricht Castle Foundation purchased the castle and its outer bailey, and later also the nearby medieval St. Salvius Church, which boasts a 13th-century mural and remains one of the Top 100 Dutch UNESCO monuments. From that point on, a thorough restoration was initiated to preserve and restore the complex for future generations. From the 1960s and 1970s onward, major restoration work took place, consolidating and restoring the castle and outer bailey so that they are not only historically valuable but also functionally usable for contemporary purposes. Since 2017, the estate's operations have entered a new phase under the leadership of the Entertrain Group. Since then, the centuries-old castle has become not only a historical monument but also a vibrant center for hospitality events, weddings, business meetings, tours, and overnight stays in a luxurious B&B setting. The complex combines heritage with modern hospitality, allowing visitors to actively experience history. The castle is listed as a national monument under number 33751 due to its historical and architectural significance within the Netherlands. Today, visitors can experience the estate in various ways. The Tasting Room in the outer bailey offers a culinary experience using fresh regional products, and there are guided tours and audio tours that bring the rich history to life with stories of castle lords, soldiers, kitchen staff, and other figures from times past. The tours take you through cellar vaults, dungeons, and rooms steeped in centuries of history. In addition, the castle is an attractive location for weddings, business events, workshops, and group activities, including wine tastings and other cultural programs that combine history and experience. Overnight stays are available in stylish rooms or in the characteristic Gatekeeper's House, allowing guests not only to visit but also to stay amidst historic grandeur with modern comforts.