Castle Hernen

Hernen, Netherlands, Netherlands

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Castle Hernen in Hernen, Netherlands, originated around 1350-1360 as a square tower house with a 2.5-meter-thick defensive curtain wall and corner towers enclosing a bailey, commissioned by Alart van Driel near the Elst river.

Expanded in the 15th-16th centuries with residential wings against the inner wall—including a monumental east wing and entry gate by 1555 under owners like the Van Wijhe family—it features the Netherlands' unique covered wall walk on arches, while never besieged, preserving its medieval character.

Passing to absentee Southern Netherlands families like Van Steenhuys after 1682, the original keep collapsed by the 19th century, but the moated structure was saved from modernization and now serves as a museum managed by Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen.