Prinsenhof, Protected castle in Kuringen, Belgium.

Prinsenhof is a castle in Kuringen, part of Hasselt. The photo shows a reddish-brown brick facade with light stone trim, a large cross-shaped window at its centre, and rows of white-framed rectangular windows on the left. A round corner tower on the right and a smaller tower left of centre both carry dark, steeply pitched conical roofs. A wide stone stair leads up to the entrance, partly sheltered by a small canopy.

The site began when Looz Castle was destroyed in 1232, prompting the Counts of Looz to establish their new base here as an administrative center. Its transformation into an elegant residence happened in the early 1500s under the influence of regional leaders.

The name Prinsenhof, used since the 18th century, recalls the prince-bishops of Liège who stayed here. Prince-Bishop Jan van Heinsberg died in the castle on the night of 18–19 October 1459, and Gerard van Groesbeek was born here in 1517. In the 20th century, painters Paul Hermans and Charles Wellens were regular guests.

The city of Hasselt bought the estate in 1984 and has housed municipal services there since, so the interior is not open as a museum. Visitors see the brick facade, the cross-shaped window and the round corner tower with its conical roof from the public grounds. The Prinsbeemden nature reserve lies directly east of the castle.

The castle's name dates only from the 18th century; before that the seat of the counts of Looz was known as the hall of Curange. Prince-Bishop Jan van Heinsberg died here in the night of 18 to 19 October 1459, and Gerard van Groesbeek was born here in 1517.