Huys ter Horst, Medieval castle ruins in Horst aan de Maas, Netherlands
Huys ter Horst is a castle ruin with an unusual pentagonal shape, its surviving walls built from marl stone blocks. A square tower marks the intersection of two defensive barriers and dominates the site's appearance.
The site first appeared in written records in 1326, and by the 1400s it served as a seat of ducal administration in the region. This role as a fortified administrative center shaped its importance across centuries.
The name reflects the medieval heritage tied to this place, and the remaining walls still convey the defensive character of that era. Visitors can sense how nobility once combined protection with daily living in such structures.
Access to the consolidated ruins is straightforward and allows you to walk around the structures freely. An observation tower built in 2003 offers views across the surrounding countryside.
Excavations between 1969 and 1976 revealed the rare pentagonal layout, which was uncommon among castles of that medieval period. This distinctive shape shows how adaptable builders were when fitting structures to the landscape.
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