The area around Kettenis

The area around Kettenis features an astonishing variety of historical castles and manor houses. These are often somewhat hidden in the landscape, which is also known as the butterländchen ('butter country') on account of its dairy cattle industry, which has a strong tradition there. On this 79-kilometre castle route, which runs through East Belgium, the Pays de Herve and the neighbouring Netherlands, many of the historical buildings can be explored by car or bike. With only a few exceptions, it is only possible to visit their exterior, since almost all the houses are now privately owned.

Point of interest
                                            
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Kettenis viewpoint indicator   The Kettenis panorama board is on the edge of the woods in the district known as 'Am Busch'. A bench invites passers-by to stop off for a break at this idyllic location. It stands at hiking node no. 26, between...

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St. Catharine's Church in Kettenis  This Catholic parish church is presumed to have been built in the 15th century and then further expanded in the centuries that followed. The oldest parts of the building are the fortified tower and the Gothic main...

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Tal  Castle  The history of this castle is relatively recent. It was built in 1775 by the Mayor of Eupen, Rainer Franz of Grand Ry, and beautifully fitted out in its interior with tapestries and chimneyplaces. The estate remained...

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Libermé Castle  The setting of Libermé Castle, protected by moats on all sides, is magnificent. The edifice stands in a lowland area just under a kilometre outside Kettenis. The first mention of this castle built in water was...

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Philippenhaus, formerly Haus Merols   The Philippenhaus was formerly known as 'Haus Merols'. For 300 years, it was in the possession of the von Hagen family, as indicated by the other name by which it was known: 'Hagenshof'. The country...

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St. Brigida's Chapel of Merols   St. Brigida's Chapel in the hamlet of Merols is at a fork in the road on the high road between Walhorn and Raeren. It is likely to have been built in 1749, though some sources say that this place of worship was in...

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The water castle of Weims   This castle built on the water, a fief from Aachen Minster, was first mentioned in 1334. It was created in the 14th century by partition from the manor of Libermé and was the seat of a collateral line of the von...

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Panoramic viewSt. Nicholas' Church  The municipal architect of Aachen, Laurenz Mefferdatis, built the Catholic parish and deanery churches from 1721-1729 in the renaissance style. The bottom part of the south tower originated from a previous church of...

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Chapel of the mater dolorosa on the Oberste Heide   This chapel was built in 1707. It was consecrated to the mater dolorosa, to whom the citizens of Kettenis submit their requests in a solemn procession each year in September. A stone set in the rubble work edifice (in...

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Rochus Chapel   This small rubble work edifice took on the appearance it has today in 1834. Typical of the region are its slate roof and the bluestone frame on the door and windows. It was not until 1899 that the chapel was dedicated...