Hernen Castle Kasteel Hernen

en Castle is a Dutch castle from the 14th century.

Hernen Castle is located in the south of Gelderland, in the village of Hernen (municipality of Wijchen), in the far west of the Rijk van Nijmegen. It probably originated around 1350, and then consisted of only one residential tower (keep). Later it was repeatedly expanded, with the former courtyard increasingly being filled. The residential tower collapsed in the 18th century.

The castle has not been inhabited since the 17th century and has never been besieged. Partly because of that, little has been cultivated, and it has been well preserved. It is the only castle in the Netherlands with covered weather corridors.

In 1883 it was bought by the Den Tex family. A daughter donated the castle in April 1940 to the Friends of the Geldersche Kasteelen Foundation, which was set up especially for this purpose. A part of the castle is accessible; in another part is occupied by the A.A. Bredius Foundation.

Hernen Castle is well preserved and is the only castle in the Netherlands with a covered wall-walk. In 2002, archeologists found the remains of 14th century field kilns, which were used to fire the bricks used to build the castle.

Go back in time with a ‘talking’ lantern as a guide that tells you the castle’s stories.Combine your visit with a walk or bike ride through Hernen’s lovely water-rich surroundings.