Kasteel, Kasteelstraat 6

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Description component 1: MAIN BUILDING (Borgharen).

A castle situated on a square moated plot consisting of a main wing originally from the 13th century with a basement and two storeys on a semi-oval ground plan, which was rebuilt several times until the 18th century, and two late 15th-century square towers of three storeys. In 1895 architect P.J.H. Cuypers undertook the restoration of the castle. Adjoining the towers are two projecting, lower side wings, partly from the 16th century and partly from the 17th century, which enclose a cour d'honneur.

The main wing with flat front facade has an oval rounded rear side (west), partly formed by a remnant of the ring wall of the originally 13th-century fortress, of which the remnant of the square donjon incorporated in the house is also part (the donjon was largely destroyed in 1318). This west facade has a steep plinth of heavy masonry of large sandstone blocks with coping layers - the same applies to the donjon - above at approximately 1.70 metres height regularly layered rubble masonry (after 1318) of sandstone topped by a profiled 16th-century moulding above which two storeys of marl stone masonry (after 1555). In the plinth section there are round profiled gun loops in square hard stone frames and round windows, one of which has a 16th-century wrought iron closure. In the two storeys various types of windows set in irregularly blocked hard stone frames, in smooth hard stone frames and in frames composed of older fragments; above several windows are traces of earlier triangular pediments. The symmetrical front facade (east) of seven window bays was renovated in the 18th century in French manner and re-clad with marl with a hard stone flight of steps, which is supported across the full width by hard stone segmental arches on piers. Incorporated in the flight of steps is a double entrance staircase with wrought iron railings in Louis XVI style. The slate-covered mansard roof also dates from this period. Windows in rectangular hard stone frames; centrally the entrance door beneath a balcony with wrought iron grill in Louis XVI style with the date 1785 and the alliance arms De Rosen and Van Buel; window grilles and step railing with initials dRvB. In 1895 the castle was unrendered under the direction of Cuypers and the windows were altered.

The square towers on either side of the main wing were presumably added after 1483 and subsequently after 1555 and in the course of the 17th century adapted to the prevailing taste of the time. The tower is constructed from a sandstone plinth, storeys of marl blocks and a brick upper storey under a slate-covered cinched tent roof, of which the crowning, according to dates on weathervanes in 1821-1822 were repaired and perhaps modified (the roof of the right tower is now in 2000 no longer present). The upper storey is executed in Maasland renaissance with marl stone ornamental elements of corner blocks, traces of cartouches and roof cornice with consoles; windows with intermediate mullions and splayed side pilasters under semicircular marl stone relieving arches.

The low side wings of two storeys under slate-covered hipped roofs are constructed of brick with marl stone corner blocks, bands and consoles; the rear facade is largely clad with hard stone in which are gun slits. The plinths of the gable ends are clad with rusticated hard stone blocks, which rest on the retaining wall at the moat. The facades on the square side of these originally 16th-century wings were rebuilt in the 17th century in Maasland renaissance style (1648-1669). On the ground floor hard stone blocked windows with intermediate mullions and hard stone framed doors; on the upper storey horizontal two-light windows; for the later windows hard stone fragments. In the left side wing was housed the coach house adjoining the stable, recognisable from the two double round arch doors (now renewed) and in the interior from the iron feed racks and hard stone water troughs; furthermore small barrel-vaulted features.

In the INTERIOR matters of note include the 18th-century rich decoration and fittings in Louis XVI style largely from the hand of Limburg architect Matthias Soiron with central hall and stairwell with oak wooden baluster staircase with richly decorated stair newel in Louis XV style and on the landing a domestic altar in wall cupboard with antependium and credence table by M. de Lovinfosse from 1781 and 1801. Around the central hall the various rooms are grouped: dining room (called 'white room') in Louis XVI style with among other things wainscoting, stucco ceiling, fireplace mantel with mirror and stuccoed overdoor panels;

large room with low wainscoting, stucco ceiling, marble fireplace mantel with upper shelf fitted with mirror and decorative stucco work (originally with painted wallpaper from 1790 from the hand of M. de Lovinfosse);

a semicircular vestibule gives access to the Blue room with round ground plan, rich stucco work, marble fireplace mantel and an alcove with domed ceiling;

and the Romanesque room with rich stucco work and an alcove (originally this room was provided with wall paintings from circa 1890);

also paintings in the so-called Chinese room. In the governess room simple stucco decorations in rococo forms.

In the left tower a record room entirely arranged by architect Cuypers in 1895 with a mother and child beam ceiling provided with coats of arms of the families, dark wood wainscoting in which a record cabinet is incorporated, oak floor, a fireplace arrangement. From this room originally access to a conservatory.

Cellars under the donjon with walls of a width of 2 to 2.30 metres, are vaulted over by a barrel vault as is the westerly situated wine cellar with small separate room which once served as burial vault of the family Philibert van Isendorn à Blois (1677); southern cellar has arches on segmental arches; northern (kitchen) barrel-vaults, sandstone chimney, hard stone sink.

Valuation

The MAIN BUILDING (Borgharen) is of general importance:

- because of its age;

- because of its construction and development history;

- because of the 13th-century remnants of the earliest building period (ring wall and donjon);

- because of the well-preserved 18th-century interior with interior components by M. Soiron;

- for the oeuvre of architect P.J.H. Cuypers;

- because of the functional-spatial relationship with the other components of the estate.