Discover mining history, Germanic flavours, a zoo, a castle and a 900-year-old abbey in this small town in the Limburg province.
Although it was once a mining town, today Kerkrade has numerous other cultural and historic attractions. Plan your visit to enjoy the modern Gaia Park Zoo and Discovery Centre Continium as well as the 900-year-old Rolduc Abbey and 14th-century Erenstein Castle.
Limburg province lies adjacent to the borders of Germany and Belgium. Kerkrade itself was formerly a part of German Herzogenrath. Over the centuries, it has been ruled by the Spanish, French and Belgians. Finally, Herzogenrath was divided in half by the Congress of Vienna to create a new town of Kerkrade within the Dutch border. Appreciate the influences of the varied rulers on the town’s modern appearance and culture.
When the borders were drawn, the 900-year-old Rolduc Abbey, resting place of many dukes of Limburg, wound up on the Kerkrade side of the border. It is now a hotel and conference centre where you can stay the night and enjoy the abbey hospitality. For a deeper understanding, take a guided tour of the old abbey.
You’ll find plenty of historical places in Kerkrade that now offer accommodation. The 14th-century Erenstein Castle has become a hotel. Two medieval wings were constructed first, with a chapel and then a farmyard gradually built to enclose the courtyard. These days the castle backs up to Gaia Park, a stunning zoo that displays its animals in a number of habitats representing their natural environment. View the neighbours of the castle which include hippos, lions, monkeys, giraffes and meerkats.
Learn about the technologies used in coal mining during the 18th and 19th centuries and how methods have changed since then in the Discovery Centre Continium science museum. A focus on future renewable energies and technologies will interest budding young scientists and adults alike.
Get adventurous on the Grünroute cycle trail that runs across into Belgium and Germany. It will take you through some of the wider region’s nature parks to museums and historic industrial buildings. You can also drive the Grünmetropole (green metropolis) route.
Head to Kerkrade’s main square, Markt, for a glass of wine and dinner, or treat yourself at the Erenstein Castle restaurant.
