Top 20 Castles around Kalkar

For a deep dive into history, Anholt Castle is a stunning moated castle with medieval foundations and a Baroque remodeling, housing one of North Rhine-Westphalia's largest privately owned art collections. Huis Bergh Castle, just across the border in the Netherlands, is another impressive medieval moated castle with a grand art collection and historical artifacts.

Yes, several castles offer activities suitable for families. Moyland Castle features a sculpture park in its gardens that children might enjoy, and it often hosts events like artisan markets. Anholt Castle is surrounded by extensive parks and gardens, and the nearby 'Anholter Schweiz' wildlife park offers an additional attraction with bears, wolves, and lynxes.

Moyland Castle is a renowned museum for modern and contemporary art, housing the world's largest collection of works by Joseph Beuys. Anholt Castle boasts a significant privately owned art collection with works by masters like Rembrandt. Huis Bergh Castle showcases a grand art collection including early Italian and Northern European paintings, medieval manuscripts, and sculptures.

Yes, Huis Bergh Castle offers a unique opportunity to stay overnight in two suites located in its 'flat' and round towers. Burg Boetzelaer also provides overnight stays in a stately atmosphere with comfortable, antique-furnished rooms.

Many castles are surrounded by beautiful grounds and parks ideal for walks. For instance, Anholt Castle is set within 35 hectares of magnificent parks and gardens. The extensive woodlands and gardens around Huis Bergh Castle are also open to the public for exploration. For more structured routes, you can find various hiking routes around Kalkar, including easy options like those around Wissel Lake.

The castles and their surrounding parks are generally beautiful to visit during spring, summer, and autumn. Spring offers blooming gardens, while summer allows for full enjoyment of outdoor areas. Autumn brings vibrant foliage. Some castles, like Moyland Castle, have specific winter opening hours and may host special events like Christmas markets, making them enjoyable year-round.

Anholt Castle is notable for its blend of medieval foundations and Baroque remodeling, featuring a massive 12th-century round 'Dicke Turm' (Thick Tower). Moyland Castle is a striking neo-Gothic moated castle. Burg Boetzelaer uniquely combines its historic facade with a modern glass facade on parts that were restored.

Beyond exploring the castle grounds, the region around Kalkar offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous road cycling routes and hiking trails. For example, there are easy hikes around Wissel Lake, and moderate road cycling loops like the 'Rees City Fortifications – Bislich Dike loop from Kalkar'.

Many of the moated castles offer picturesque views. Anholt Castle, with its wide moat and extensive gardens, is highly photogenic. Huis Bergh Castle, a large medieval moated fortress, also provides excellent photo opportunities, especially from the dam around it. The restored Burg Boetzelaer, facing the Boetzelaerer Meer, is another scenic spot.

For Moyland Castle, opening times vary seasonally. During winter (Oct 4 - Mar 31), it's open Tue-Sun 11 am-5 pm (Mon park only). In summer (Apr 1 - Oct 3), it's open Mon 11 am-5 pm (park only), Tue-Fri 11 am-6 pm, and Sat-Sun 10 am-6 pm. Admission for the historical gardens/sculpture park is €2 per person or €5 for a family ticket. Exhibition areas/castle building/tower cost €7 for adults and €3 for children from 6 years.

While not a standing castle, the remnants of Monreberg Castle in Kalkar itself are historically significant, though no longer visible. For a well-preserved water castle with a modern twist, Burg Boetzelaer in Appeldorn is a historic site that has undergone extensive restoration, blending old and new architecture. Huis Landfort, though a country house, is also a beautifully restored historical site with a freely accessible park.

While specific public transport details for each castle can vary, many are located in areas that may require a combination of public transport and a short walk or taxi ride. It's advisable to check local bus schedules for Bedburg-Hau (for Moyland Castle), Isselburg (for Anholt Castle), and 's-Heerenberg (for Huis Bergh Castle) prior to your visit. Parking facilities are generally available at most major castles.