Oud-Valkenburg 76305 AA Schin op GeulOud-Valkenburg

Schaloen Castle is a monumental country estate featuring a castle and surrounding moats of around 1000 years old. Steeped in history, it features a gate house with a visitors centre, 16 apartments and a hotel with rooms suitable for events. The gate house, apartments and hotel are also for sale. The river Geul flows around the castle and its moats and the surroundings are very inspiring.The glorious hills are part of a protected nature reserve and offer spectacular panoramic views. We reach the castle via the driveway under a canopy of lime trees. Schaloen Castle was built around the year 1200 as a maintaining citadel; a rectangular building with towers at the corners, walls of up to 2.2 m in diameter and oak doors of 12 cm thick. Soldiers patrolled the battlements between the towers, and combined with the castle’s thick walls and its loopholes, this made it virtually impossible to conquer. Crossing the bridge over the moat and the recently renovated quay walls, we reach the gate house. A lock was built to prevent dirty water from flowing into the moat when water levels are high. The opening doors signal a warm welcome to the visitors centre with its cafe, the apartments, the castle and the hotel. The heavy double oak doors provide access to the reception room, with splendid ornamental high ceilings and paneled frames. At the back is a natural stone balcony and some fine examples of craftsmanship visible in the wrought iron gates. The white marble fireplace has been perfectly restored. The right hand passage in the reception room provides access to the old Church Hall, currently in use as sleeping quarters. The painted doors, estimated to be some 800 years old, lead to the old altar, and betray a history of religious activity. It is a painting of Mary being told by Gabriel that she will give birth to Christ. According to legend, a hermit who lived on the mountain near the castle, entered daily by way of a secret tunnel and served Holy Mass in this Church Hall. The ceilings leave nothing to the imagination. When we take the double doors to the next room, we enter ‘ the Ridderzaal ‘ or Knights Hall. It is presently in use as a living room and has beautiful oak flooring and a monumental fireplace. This fireplace features the family crest and the restoration year in gold leaf. The castle’s high windows let in plenty of light. The radiators have been tastefully hidden. The handles on windows and doors are the original ones. The castle has its own water source and a well in the lower tower room, now closed off with a glass plate. The reception centre in the castle’s cellar offers many special details, as well as a lounge and a large natural stone fireplace. The castle’s vaulted cellars contain a centre for guests. Here too, many beautiful frescos can be seen. The old vaults lead to the restaurant, which boasts a beautiful bronze plaque picturing the crest and the restoration year. The frescos are well suited to this space, together with the old niches where once candles burned for illumination. In the hall, a fresco can be found with an old map from centuries ago, bearing the name Sloen, as the estate was then called. From a brand new, state of the art kitchen, the restaurant can be provided with culinary delights. One floor up, we find the servants’ quarters, not yet fully restored, but with electrical, water and heating facilities prepared for use. These rooms are 5 m high and between some 65 and 85 m2 each. In addition there is a completely separate system of stairs that runs through the castle. The top two floors are very large and suitable for many different purposes. Here, the tower rooms have intentionally been kept in their original state. But on the lower floors, they are in use and fully meet the present norms and standards. The estate has been continuously restored over the past 500 years, and work was completed by the present owner. It is situated at a height of 75 m. above sea level, and measures 22.000 m2 including the gatehouse, the apartments and hotel. The castle, including the reception area, lobby and the restaurant are 1.000 m2 combined. The gate house, visitors centre and café measure a total of 525 m2. The 16 apartments are 1584 m2 while the hotel with its halls come to 825 m2. Schaloen Castle, this unique privately owned property is now for sale. For more information, please contact us. Disclaimer This information has been compiled by us with the necessary care. On our part, however, no liability is accepted for any incompleteness, inaccuracy or otherwise, or the consequences thereof. All specified sizes and surfaces are indicative.