History

Rullingen castle is in the heart of Haspengouw, in the rustic land of the Counts of Loon. It was built in a splendid woody environment and symbolizes unspoilt Limburg at its best.

In this gorgeous and peaceful landscape, with its sloping meadows and fertile fields, you can discover what it feels like to be carefree. The church towers of sleepy villages glitter on the horizon. The charming old town of Borgloon is only a stone's throw away. The historic towns of Tongeren and Sint-Truiden, the 'tasteful' town of Hasselt, as well as the dazzling town of Maastricht can be reached in little time.

Rullingen castle has a rich history. During the Middle-Ages - under the rule of the Counts of Loon and the Episcopacy of Liege - a fortress was built on the very spot. The vaulted caves and the substructures are relics from that time. In the fortified tower there was a well allowing the Counts to survive long-lasting sieges. Nowadays, this well still provides the castle with the pure water of nature.

In 1640 the castle, as we know it now, was erected in Maaslandic Renaissance style. The frontons above the date stone, the entrances and windows are typically baroque elements. The wrought iron bridge and the lampposts were built later. The swans on the moat arrived at a later date, as well. Another remarkable item is the sundial.

After a fire in 1920 the castle was restored between 1921 and 1935 by P. Langerock, an architect living in Leuven, who had already built up a solid reputation by restoring several other castles. His agency replaced the Haspengouw farm near the castle by a French geometric garden. The castle is again being restored in order to safeguard its historic authenticity. The guests of the hotel will certainly be charmed by the ancient private chapel they will pass on their way to their rooms.

The Rullingen domain has had several owners. The first proprietors were the Hulsburg and the de Voordt families. In the 18th century the castle and the grounds were taken over by Baron de Zeegraede and his descendants. From 1910 onwards, the Pangaert d'Opdorp family has become the legal owner of the domain. At present, Rullingen castle is part of the historic heritage of the Province of Limburg.

The Council of Limburg Province has created an arboretum and a fructuarium on the chateau domain. They do not only house a collection of several scientifically interesting trees, but also 142 different standard tree fruit varieties (much to our cook's delight).

Until 1976 the castle was open to the public. Nowadays, cultural and culinary connoisseurs can still enjoy the splendour of this site. So the castle contributes to carrying out Limburg's unique lifestyle, a goal the management would definitely like to achieve.

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