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KASTEEL HUIS BERGH

Anyone visiting the small town of 's-Heerenberg in Gelderland awaits an overwhelming experience. Suddenly the view unfolds of the medieval Kasteel Huis Bergh, surrounded by a moat and half enclosed by an old fortress wall. Its building history dates back to the 13th century. The most important parts still existing today date from the 14th, 15th and 17th centuries. Over time, extensions, embellishments, fires and wars have changed the appearance of the castle. From a medieval defensive fortress, it gradually became a fine castle.

Huis Bergh was inhabited from the 12th century to the 20th century. The various lords and counts Van den Bergh played an important role in the history of the area and some even made history on a national level. During the Eighty Years' War, an important mark on Bergh history was made by Willem IV Count Van den Bergh.

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KASTEEL HUIS BERGH
KASTEEL HUIS BERGH
Hof van Bergh 8
7041 AC ’s-Heerenberg
REGIO LIEMERS
Nederland

History

The castle was built by the lords of Bergh. The origin of this lineage is uncertain. Since the tufa tower, which was built on the same site prior to Bergh Castle, dates back to about 1300, it could be assumed that Henrick van den Bergh initiated the construction of the ancestral castle of the Van den Bergh family. Henrick must have found a swampy area at the site with sections here and there with more solid ground.

In 1712, Huis Bergh and everything that belonged to it came into the possession of the Von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family by inheritance. The members of this lineage did not reside much at Huis Bergh. The castle was leased to various private individuals and institutions and it was in danger of falling into disrepair.

Eventually the tide turned for the better: the Bergh property became the property of J.H. van Heek, textile manufacturer in Enschede, who bought it in 1912 and immediately set to work restoring the castle to its former glory. In the following years, Mr. van Heek began building a magnificent collection of medieval art which he housed in Huis Bergh.

Jan Herman van Heek

It was Jan Herman van Heek (1873-1957), industrialist from Enschede, who acquired the impressive castle Huis Bergh and its belongings in 1912. His fascination with the Middle Ages was great and it was his dream to return Huis Bergh in all its facets to the Middle Ages. The castle was in a desolate state. His great interest in that era determined the restoration of the castle, inspired him to collect medieval art and gave depth to his interest in the history of its inhabitants and construction. Huis Bergh offers a unique opportunity to experience art, culture and history.

In 1946 Van Heek transferred his property to the Huis Bergh Foundation with the goal of preserving the castle, its art collection and forests for posterity and making them accessible. Among what he collected were works of art that were impressive for the Netherlands. Early Italian paintings and medieval manuscripts as well as important works from German art of the 16th century.

Jan Herman van Heek died in 1957 and is buried in the cemetery of the NH Church next to the castle. The castle was occupied by the Van Heek family until the 1980s.

(source: huisbergh.nl)
 

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