Kasteelruine & Fluweelengrot Valkenburg

Discover the mysteries of the Kasteelruins!

The rich middle ages will become reality when you visit the Kasteelruins of Valkenburg aan de Geul, with a history which returns up to the 11th century! You'll find monumental remains of this important and impressive castle of the Dutch history. The castle is the only Dutch altitude citadel, above the sociable town. It is great walk around the monumental remains with an amazing view over Valkenburg aan de Geul town and district.

There is also a birdshow in the centre of the remains of the castle. A falconer shows his impressive birds in this beautiful area. Different kind of birds are showed; for example falcons, owls, hawks....
After the show it is possible to get a picture with one of the falcons! If you dare.....

Fluweelengrot are the oldest mergelgrotten (Marlstone caves) of Zuid-Limburg. Marl or Marlstone is a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and aragonite.
The formation of the Fluweelengrot is suspected in 11th or the 12th century. Mergel (Marl) became by so-called ' blokbrekers ' (stonebricks) used from the cave, to build the construction of for example the castle of Valkenburg.

The result of these mergelwinning is a labyrint of old and capricious tunnels. 'secret escapetunnels', which are just discovered in 1937. Hereby the knights and their servants got enterance the castle unseen; to storm/attack and fight the enemy in the back or fuelling secretly to obtain.

In the tunnels you will find charcoal drawings telling legends and history of long past.