Kasteel Huis Bergh

Om museet

Huis Bergh lies in ’s-Heerenberg near the German border and is one of the largest medieval castles in the Netherlands. Its origins go back to around the year 1100: on an artificial mound in a marsh a round tufa-stone tower was built, later followed by a curtain wall and a square residential tower. The outer bailey received a brewery, stables, a smithy, a granary, walls and three towers. The castle is the only one in the Netherlands located within the old town fortifications; in 1379 Willem I van den Bergh granted ’s-Heerenberg town rights.

For centuries the estate belonged to the lords and counts van den Bergh, who played an important role as advisers to the dukes of Guelders and as relatives of the House of Orange. During the Eighty Years' War, Count Willem IV marched along the IJssel in 1572, which severely damaged the castle. It was rebuilt around 1600 and largely acquired its present appearance. In 1735 the main castle almost completely burned down; afterward it was no longer permanently inhabited, housed a seminary from 1799 to 1842, and passed by inheritance to the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family.

In 1912 the derelict castle was bought by Jan Herman van Heek, an Enschede textile industrialist and art collector, who had it restored step by step and furnished it with his collection. After a second major fire in 1939 it was rebuilt again; in 1946 van Heek gave the castle, collection and estate to a foundation. The collection of around 15,000 objects ranges from early Italian paintings through medieval manuscripts and enamel work to German art of the 16th century. After comprehensive restoration, the house was ceremonially reopened in September 2026.

Højdepunkter

• Largest medieval castle in the Netherlands, the only one within a town wall
• Art collection of around 15,000 objects, including an angel by Duccio di Buoninsegna
• Medieval manuscripts such as the Berghse kroniek and Limoges enamel work
• Models of the castle's building history and of the town in the cellar
• Children's tower with play stations on castle life 500 years ago
• Coin-striking demonstrations and town tours on Sundays

Permanente udstillinger

• Kunstsammlung von Jan Herman van Heek – Around 15,000 objects from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, including early Italian paintings, manuscripts and enamel work.
• Bau- und Stadtgeschichte – Models show the castle's development and the historical interplay between the castle and the town of ’s-Heerenberg.
• Kinderturm – The tower is set up for hands-on play and explains to children what life in a castle was like.

Ejer

Stichting Huis Bergh

Entrépriser & rabatter

Prices for 2026. Free with the Museumkaart, the Huis Bergh friends' pass, the Rembrandtkaart, the ICOM card and the Vriendenloterij VIP card. Tickets are available online and at the ticket desk.

Tilgængelighed

• Delvis kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator
• Handicaptoilet
• Handicapparkering
• Servicehunde tilladt
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

All exhibition rooms can be reached by elevator, except the keep (Bergfried, donjon). Wheelchair users can reach the museum shop in the castle cellar via a platform lift; wheelchairs are available on request. The path from the car park is partly paved and partly cobblestone. Information panels have high-contrast design; guided tours can be booked in adapted form (slower pace, smaller group). Outdoor activities are not accessible.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Familieomvisninger & workshops
• Opgavehæfte, skattejagt eller audioguide for børn
• Interaktive stationer

For younger children there is a treasure hunt through the castle. The large square tower is set up as a play tower and shows what life in a castle was like 500 years ago. Schools receive interactive programs on the Middle Ages.

Transport & parkering

Route via the A12 or A18, signposted to ’s-Heerenberg. Bicycles stand unsecured beside the moat; a charging point for e-bikes is in the outer bailey.

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Museumsbutik
• Garderobe

Kasteel Café Heeren Dubbel in the old coach house of the outer bailey (also high tea); museum shop in the castle cellar. Bags, jackets and umbrellas belong in the cloakroom; eating is not permitted in the castle.

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Firmaarrangementer
• Bryllupper / vielser

For receptions and dinners, the reception hall (formerly the Great Hall), the throne room, the Habsburg Hall, as well as the garden and outer bailey are available. Two towers of the outer bailey have overnight suites for two people each.

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