Kasteel van Loye

Kasteel van Loye is a medieval water castle in Lummen with a U-shaped layout, rectangular courtyard, and central well. The castle is surrounded by a protective moat and reached by a stone bridge.

The castle was built in 1429 and served as a residence for several noble families. It underwent later renovations that added Renaissance and Classical features.

The structure blends Gothic architecture with Maaslands Renaissance and Classical elements that reflect regional building traditions. You can see how architectural styles changed across different building phases over the centuries.

The castle is private property with limited access, though the chapel can be visited during certain months via designated pathways. Visiting is dependent on opening schedules, so it helps to check conditions beforehand.

The east facade features painted trompe-l'oeil windows that were originally created to avoid historical taxes on window openings. This optical illusion is still visible today and shows how earlier residents used clever tricks to reduce taxes.