In Helmond, you won’t come across knights, lords, and ladies in the streets anymore—those days are gone. But the stories from the past remain incredibly fascinating. Kasteel Helmond has a centuries-old tale, one of power, love, war, and deceit. Surely, you want to know more about it?
Kasteel Helmond is the city’s crowning jewel. There are few cities where you’ll find a medieval castle right in the center. Fortunately, it is open to the public, and you can wander through it. It’s fascinating to see how people lived back then. Was it really as romantic to live in a castle?
The Largest Moat Castle in the Netherlands
The castle— the largest moat castle in the Netherlands—was built in 1325, but it was only completed by the end of the seventeenth century. Instead of round walls, straight angles were built. Efficient and secure, as it was thought that this design provided better protection. Plus, it was a lot more practical for furnishing.
From Castle to Town Hall and Back
The castle changed hands four times in total, which is relatively few considering it was inhabited for seven hundred years. In 1923, the castle was sold to the municipality of Helmond. The condition was that it must be used for public purposes. And so it was. After a major renovation, the castle was used as a town hall. When the building became too cramped, the municipal offices moved elsewhere, and in 1982, the castle became part of Museum Helmond.
Castle on Fire!
Today, you can visit various exhibitions and experience what it was like to live in a castle hundreds of years ago. Immerse yourself in the castle’s unique story or enjoy the thrilling attic tour ‘Castle on Fire!’ Afterwards, you can take a walk through the beautiful castle garden, where you might even spot a bridal couple. The castle is also a popular wedding venue.