Hillenraad Castle, Medieval water castle in Swalmen, Netherlands
Hillenraad Castle is a water castle with a square main building and four corner towers surrounded by moats fed by two streams. The entire complex contains about twenty structures registered as national monuments, including the main house, several outbuildings, and park features.
The castle was built as a fortified structure at a strategic border location and became involved in regional conflicts during the 1500s. William of Orange used it as his headquarters in 1572 for military operations in the area.
The banquet hall displays furniture and ornamental details from the Liège Baroque period, showing how the local nobility furnished and decorated their homes.
The property sits in a green setting with plenty of room to walk around the various buildings and park. Visitors should expect damp conditions depending on the season, as water features are a defining characteristic of the location.
The last German Crown Prince sought shelter here in 1918 before moving to an island. This event connects the castle to the dramatic conclusion of World War One.
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