Château St. Gerlach

Château St. Gerlach is a historic estate located in the village of Houthem within the Geul river valley in Limburg, Netherlands. While the site originated in the mid-twelfth century as a monastery founded near the grave of the hermit Saint Gerlachus, the current structure largely reflects a nineteenth-century transformation. Originally serving as a convent for noble ladies and later suffering destruction during the Eighty Years' War, the complex was converted into a castle-like country house after the French invasion of 1795. The architecture features a rectangular main building, a coach house, and a farm, all situated alongside the Sint-Gerlachus Church. The grounds hold significant historical value, having hosted pilgrims such as Charles the Bold and surviving occupation by both German and American forces during the Second World War.

Following decades of decline after 1979, the property was acquired in 1994 by local hotelier Camille Oostwegel, who undertook an extensive restoration to return the estate to its former glory. Reopened in 1997, the château now operates as a luxurious five-star hotel, restaurant, and conference center. It is recognized as part of the Buitengoed Geul & Maas landscape and contains several national monuments. The site preserves unique historical anecdotes, including a pistol hole in a mirror left by an American soldier during the war liberation. Today, it stands as a prominent destination that blends deep religious heritage with modern hospitality, maintaining its status as one of the few five-star hotels in the region while honoring its centuries-old legacy.