Horn Castle

Horn Castle is a fortified structure standing on an artificial hill surrounded by a dry moat, with four corner towers and a prominent entrance gate at its center. The complex includes various outbuildings, a park, service buildings, and ornamental gardens decorated with iron statues.

The castle was built in the 13th century as a motte-and-bailey structure for defensive purposes. In the 15th century, extensive modifications transformed it, including the construction of a new entrance tower that significantly altered its appearance.

The castle shows how the Netherlands changed over centuries through its architecture. The towers, walls, and surrounding buildings come from different periods and tell this story visibly in the stonework itself.

The dry moat and elevated location offer good viewpoints from all sides of the complex. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the grounds have uneven areas and can become slippery in wet weather.

The original dry moat system remains intact and demonstrates how medieval fortifications were constructed in the Limburg region. This engineering approach shows how past builders created effective defenses using only the materials and methods available to them.