The Netherlands hides layers of history beyond windmills and canals: crumbling keeps, abbey foundations and fortified mounds appear in towns, fields and along riverbanks, revealing how communities evolved from medieval trade hubs to modern settlements. Walking these sites gives a tangible sense of changing borders, building techniques and local stories.
There are 30 Ruins in Netherlands, ranging from Abdij van Rijnsburg to Valkhofburcht; for each site you’ll find Location (town, province), Coordinates (lat, long) and Type & era — you’ll find below.
How were the ruins selected for this list?
The list focuses on sites with visible remains or documented historical significance (abbeys, castles, fortified towns and notable earthworks), using public records and heritage inventories; some entries are fragmentary but included for historical context and geographic spread.
Can visitors access these ruins and what should they check before going?
Many sites are open to the public or visible from public paths, but some lie on private land or have restricted access; use the coordinates to plan, check local tourism or municipal sites for visiting rules, and wear suitable footwear and respect any conservation notices.
Ruins in Netherlands
| Name | Location (town, province) | Coordinates (lat, long) | Type & era |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasteelruïne van Brederode | Santpoort-Zuid, Noord-Holland | 52.4162, 4.6105 | Medieval moated castle ruin, 13th-15th century |
| Kasteel Valkenburg | Valkenburg, Limburg | 50.8631, 5.8322 | Hilltop fortress ruin, 11th-14th century |
| Slot Teylingen | Sassenheim, Zuid-Holland | 52.2319, 4.5208 | Medieval water castle ruin with a prominent 13th-century round keep |
| Valkhofburcht | Nijmegen, Gelderland | 51.8488, 5.8727 | Carolingian palace ruins and chapels, 8th-12th century |
| Kasteel Batenburg | Batenburg, Gelderland | 51.8219, 5.6264 | Expansive medieval castle ruin, dating from the 12th century |
| Kasteel de Nijenbeek | Voorst, Gelderland | 52.1481, 6.1365 | Medieval keep, damaged in WWII, 13th century |
| Kasteelruïne Lichtenberg | Maastricht, Limburg | 50.8258, 5.6946 | Medieval hilltop keep and farmstead, 13th century |
| Kasteel Montfort | Montfort, Limburg | 51.1242, 5.9497 | Motte-and-bailey castle ruin, 13th century |
| Kasteelruïne Bleijenbeek | Afferden, Limburg | 51.6169, 6.0461 | Late medieval castle ruin, damaged in WWII, 14th century |
| Ruïnekerk Bergen | Bergen, Noord-Holland | 52.6689, 4.7061 | Gothic church ruin, 15th century |
| Kasteel Egmond | Egmond aan den Hoef, Noord-Holland | 52.6186, 4.6467 | Foundations of a great medieval castle, 11th-16th century |
| Huis te Riviere | Schiedam, Zuid-Holland | 51.9198, 4.3999 | Medieval keep ruin (donjon), 13th century |
| Abdij van Rijnsburg | Rijnsburg, Zuid-Holland | 52.1895, 4.4443 | Surviving tower of a medieval abbey, 12th century |
| Kasteel van Heusden | Heusden, Noord-Brabant | 51.7347, 5.1384 | Foundation ruins of a large water castle, 12th century |
| Oude Kerk Dongen | Dongen, Noord-Brabant | 51.6212, 4.9298 | Late Gothic church ruin, 15th century |
| Kasteel Duurstede | Wijk bij Duurstede, Utrecht | 51.9723, 5.3402 | Mostly intact castle with a famous ruined 15th-century keep |
| Slot Moermond Poortgebouw | Renesse, Zeeland | 51.7283, 3.7915 | Medieval castle gatehouse ruin, 14th century |
| Kasteel Stein | Stein, Limburg | 50.9688, 5.7645 | Hilltop castle ruin with a prominent keep, 13th century |
| Kasteel Schaesberg | Landgraaf, Limburg | 50.9103, 6.0076 | Renaissance castle ruin under reconstruction, 16th century |
| Rosendael Donjon | Rozendaal, Gelderland | 52.0163, 5.9752 | Medieval circular keep (shell keep), 13th century |
| Kasteel van Goor | Goor, Overijssel | 52.2359, 6.5898 | Foundation ruins of a bishop’s castle, 12th century |
| Klooster van Aduard | Aduard, Groningen | 53.2575, 6.4593 | Foundations and sick ward of a Cistercian monastery, 12th century |
| De Klinkenberg | Eext, Drenthe | 53.0016, 6.7262 | Earthen remains of a motte-and-bailey castle, 12th century |
| Unia State | Metslawier, Friesland | 53.3323, 6.0592 | Foundations of a Frisian fortified manor (stins), 15th century |
| Kasteel Geysteren | Geijsteren, Limburg | 51.5583, 6.0175 | War-damaged moated castle ruin, 13th-16th century |
| Kasteel Keenenburg | Schipluiden, Zuid-Holland | 51.9806, 4.3106 | Foundation ruins of a moated castle, 14th century |
| Kasteel Elsloo | Elsloo, Limburg | 50.9329, 5.7608 | Foundation ruins of a medieval castle, 12th century |
| Huis te Eerbeek | Eerbeek, Gelderland | 52.1009, 6.0645 | Ruined wing of a 14th-century hunting lodge |
| Ruïnekerk Oude Niedorp | Oude Niedorp, Noord-Holland | 52.7483, 4.8808 | Late Gothic church ruin, 15th century |
| Kasteel van Voorne | Oostvoorne, Zuid-Holland | 51.9079, 4.1031 | Remains and foundations of a motte castle, 12th century |
Images and Descriptions
Kasteelruïne van Brederode
Often called the most beautiful ruin in the Netherlands, these are the impressive remains of a moated castle. It’s a national monument you can explore for a fee. Check seasonal opening times.
Kasteel Valkenburg
The Netherlands’ only hilltop castle ruin, offering fantastic views over the town. Explore the remnants of the knights’ hall, chapel, and artillery tower. Open to visitors year-round; tickets required.
Slot Teylingen
An iconic circular keep surrounded by a moat, once home to Jacqueline of Bavaria. This photogenic ruin is a powerful symbol of the Dutch Middle Ages. Access is limited; check website for visiting days.
Valkhofburcht
The historic heart of Nijmegen, these are the remains of a palace once used by Charlemagne. The ruins are located within a public park and are freely accessible to view from the outside.
Kasteel Batenburg
One of the oldest and largest castle ruins in its province, featuring impressive walls, towers, and a large moat. The exterior is always visible; interior access is only on specific open days.
Kasteel de Nijenbeek
A solitary, romantic ruin on the banks of the IJssel river, heavily damaged during World War II. It stands on private property but is clearly visible from the public river dike.
Kasteelruïne Lichtenberg
Perched on the Sint-Pietersberg hill, this ruin offers a stunning view over the Meuse river valley. The site is freely accessible and is a great stop during a hike in the area.
Kasteel Montfort
A large and historically important fortress ruin with unique corner towers. Volunteers are working to preserve and partially rebuild the site. Open for visitors on specific days, usually on weekends.
Kasteelruïne Bleijenbeek
A picturesque, moated ruin that was heavily damaged by bombs in 1945 and left as a monument. The ruin is on a golf course but can be viewed from the public road.
Ruïnekerk Bergen
A large church destroyed during the Eighty Years’ War, with its roofless nave now serving as a serene open-air space for events. The grounds are often open to the public to walk through.
Kasteel Egmond
The foundations of what was once one of Holland’s most important castles, home to the Counts of Egmond. The visible foundations and a remaining chapel are located in a freely accessible park.
Huis te Riviere
The last remnant of the Huis te Riviere castle, this tall tower ruin stands surprisingly in the middle of Schiedam’s city center. It is a national monument and is easily viewed from the street.
Abdij van Rijnsburg
Only a single, rugged Romanesque tower remains from what was once a powerful and influential abbey for noblewomen. The tower stands in the center of the village and is freely visible.
Kasteel van Heusden
The impressive and clearly visible foundations of a mighty castle, rediscovered after WWII. The layout is easy to trace in the grassy park, which is freely accessible to the public.
Oude Kerk Dongen
A lonely and atmospheric church ruin, consisting of a tower and crumbling walls, standing in an old cemetery. The church was destroyed by a fire in 1849. Freely accessible to view.
Kasteel Duurstede
A beautiful moated castle known for its massive, roofless Burgundian tower that stands apart from the main building. The castle grounds are often accessible for an impressive exterior view.
Slot Moermond Poortgebouw
While the main castle was rebuilt, the original 14th-century gatehouse stands as a distinct and impressive ruin beside it. The ruin is located on a private estate but is visible from the road.
Kasteel Stein
The “Grote Toren” (Great Tower) is the main remnant of this castle, built on a natural hill overlooking the Meuse valley. The site is part of a park and is generally accessible to view.
Kasteel Schaesberg
The vast ruins of a unique Renaissance castle, currently the site of a long-term experimental reconstruction project using historic methods. The grounds are open to visitors for a fee to see the progress.
Rosendael Donjon
Located in the beautiful park of the intact Rosendael Castle, this large, round tower is one of the oldest and largest surviving keeps in the Netherlands. The park requires an entrance fee.
Kasteel van Goor
The foundations of the former castle of the Bishop of Utrecht are marked out and visible within the gardens of the repurposed Heeckeren Huis. Freely visible from the public path.
Klooster van Aduard
The grounds of this once-powerful monastery now show the foundation outlines of the lost buildings in the streetscape. The former sick ward is now the village church. Freely visible.
De Klinkenberg
While no stone remains, the significant earthworks of this motte (castle hill) are clearly visible in the landscape, marking an early type of castle. Located in a field, visible from the road.
Unia State
The foundations of a typical Frisian ‘stins’ or fortified noble house are preserved and made visible for visitors. A good example of a now-vanished part of Frisian heritage. Freely accessible.
Kasteel Geysteren
Another romantic ruin that fell victim to World War II, its shattered walls rise directly from the waters of its moat. Located on a private estate but easily viewed from the public road.
Kasteel Keenenburg
The complete ground plan of this castle is made visible with low walls and is surrounded by a restored moat. It sits in a public park, making it a freely accessible archaeological monument.
Kasteel Elsloo
The foundations of this castle, which suffered from centuries of erosion from the nearby Meuse river, are visible in the gardens of the current Elsloo Castle. Freely accessible grounds.
Huis te Eerbeek
The ruin is a substantial part of a former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Guelders. It stands on the grounds of a hotel but is clearly visible from the surrounding park area.
Ruïnekerk Oude Niedorp
A charming, small church ruin consisting of an intact tower and roofless walls, set in a peaceful, historic cemetery. It’s a picturesque landmark that is freely accessible to view from the outside.
Kasteel van Voorne
Explore the historic grounds of the once-powerful Lords of Voorne. The circular foundations, parts of the walls, and the relief of the motte are preserved in a public park. Freely accessible.
