Heeze CastleEymerick Castle

Heeze Castle, also known as Kasteel Heeze, is a historic fortress located in the Netherlands, specifically in the province of North Brabant south of Eindhoven. While the site originally served as the center of a medieval seigneury owned by the de Horne family, the current structure dates back to the seventeenth century. Construction on this new building began in 1665 under the design of renowned architect Pieter Post. The castle was intended to be a grand residence built primarily of brick, but the project faced significant financial challenges due to the high costs of importing materials. Consequently, construction was halted prematurely following Post's death, with his son Maurits Post completing only the initial section before work ceased entirely.

A unique aspect of the castle's history is that the wing currently inhabited by the owners was originally designed to serve merely as the servants' quarters. The grand main residence planned for the rear courtyard was never realized. Despite this incomplete status, the building has remained in excellent condition. In 1760, the property was purchased by Jan Maximiliaan van Tuyll van Serooskerken, and it has remained the continuous home of the Van Tuyll van Serooskerken family ever since. Adjacent to the main structure, within the surrounding waters, lie the remnants of an older fortress known as Eymerick Castle. This earlier building was already in poor condition by 1659 but was preserved partially because the new expansion plans were abandoned.

Today, Heeze Castle stands as a significant cultural landmark and is open to the public for guided tours during specific months of the year. Visitors can explore the grounds and learn about its architectural quirks and long lineage of ownership. The site is recognized as a Rijksmonument, highlighting its national importance within the Dutch heritage landscape. The presence of the older Eymerick ruins adds an extra layer of historical depth, offering a glimpse into the medieval past that predates the seventeenth-century reconstruction efforts.