Kasteel Strijthagen

Kasteel Strijthagen is the last completely intact noble estate on the territory of the Dutch-Limburg municipality of Landgraaf, located in the Strijthagerbeek valley, near the core of Schaesberg.

The main building is located on the banks of some ponds fed by the Strijthagerbeek. It was built in the 18th century on the site of an older castle. The walls of the main building consist of so-called "speklagen", i.e. alternating layers of brick and natural stone, which are relatively common in Limburg, including at Castle De Bongard and the nearby Castle Schaesberg. The castle complex also consists of the classicistic steward's residence, the 17th-century white plastered front castle, the water mill called Strijthager Mill and the coach house of much more recent date, all of which have the status of national monuments. Both the main building and the steward's house and the gatehouse of the outer bailey have a mansard's roof, which in Limburg is also the case at Castle Puth and Castle Raath.

The first mention and inhabitants of Strijthagen

The oldest mention of Strijthagen was in the year 1020 with Abraham Schöffenmeister von Streithagen he took care of the King's estate with Forest on the Strijthager hof.* For example, a Akkerbrief from that time shows that the Schöffenmeister Abraham von Streithagen was entitled to 7 wild swains.

In 1206 Henricus Miles of Strijthagen is mentioned in the collegiate at Kerpen when he receives 120 morgen of arable land and meadows under the bank of Kerkrade in long lease. Source Quix. The chapter of Kerpen converts an annual cijns of ten shillings Liège, which knight Hendrik van Strijthagen owes to the chapter over 120 morgen of cijns property at Strijthagen, into an annual cijns of five shillings Keuls, payable on pain of excommunication, to be promulgated by the abbot of Kloosterrade. In 1256 Dec. it is also mentioned for the first time in the Books of Kloosterrade that Fam. Strijthagen had inheritances on loan.

With Rabodo of Strythave seals in 1323, with seven pillars and top left quarter 3 chisels. Originating from Rode 4 red pillars and 3 gold and was married to a daughter of Beissel.

Werner van Schaesberg takes over the court in Strijthagen in 1312 by marriage and builds a new castle there. In 1386 he sells the castle and property to Johan Keris Judenkop, who later goes on to call himself van Streithagen. vlg's Oidman.

The castle and property remains in the hands of Judenkop van Streithagen until the 16th century and after the death of Anna's brothers Johan van Streithagen, Anna inherits the castle with property from Streithagen and marries Georg van Schaesberg in 1510 and the Castle with property passes to the Family van Schaesberg.

After the death of Michael van Strijthagen in 1630, his sister Agnes married Ferdinant Albrecht van Merode and became the new owner of Strijthagen.

History after 1900Casteel Strijthagen suffered a lot of mining damage during the twentieth century. From 1952 the painter Aad de Haas lived with his family in the castle for many years.

Around Strijthagen Castle there is a recreational area with several theme parks.

The theme park went bankrupt in 2006, on April 25, 2013 the City Council of Landgraaf accepted the proposal of the Mayor and Aldermen to purchase the castle complex.