Kasteel Montfort

Enjoying a castle and its landscape
Castle Montfort dates from 1260 and was one of the largest castles in the Netherlands for centuries. An impressive castle ruins remind us of this, of which two corner towers and several large cellars have been restored in recent years. It contains a visitor center about the interesting history of this castle, its inhabitants and the surrounding landscape.

As a visitor, let yourself be surprised by the fascinating past of this region. Descend into the atmospheric eastern cellars from the fourteenth century, creep into the prison dungeon in the White Tower. Enjoy the view from castle towers or the castle terrace and discover the beautiful domains of Rozendaal, Schrevenhof and Reigersbroek on foot from Montfort Castle. A visit to Castle Montfort can also be easily combined with a walk through the castle garden, redesigned in classicist style.

750 years in a nutshell
Castle Montfort was built around 1260 by Hendrik van Gelre, Prince-Bishop of Liège and first lord of Montfort. After his violent death in 1285, the lordship of Montfort became part of the county, later Duchy of Guelders. Under Duke Reinoud II of Gelre (1326-1343) the importance of this castle grew. This placed higher demands on the residential function, which led to an extensive renovation in 1342-1343. Until the end of the fifteenth century, Montfort regularly served as the residence of the ruler. The Drossaard also lived here, who, with twenty-seven personnel, took care of the defense and administration of the office of Montfort, an administrative district of the Overkwartier of Gelre.

Due to the rise of the cannon, Castle Montfort was expanded with fortifications in 1535-1536. It then fulfilled a military role until after the Eighty Years' War. In 1685-1686 the fortifications were demolished and the canals filled in. The remaining buildings remained official residences for the drossaard, who had a large symmetrical garden complex constructed on the south side of the Huysdijk.

Around 1780, the residential castle was also demolished, after which a ruin remained. Around 1850 a Roermond paper manufacturer built an octagonal brick country house on the northeast corner of this building. This hunting lodge was restored in 2005-2006. A large medieval cellar complex was subsequently discovered in 2011, which was restored and made accessible to the public in 2015-2017 by the Castle Montfort Foundation.