Wachtendonk Castle

Wachtendonk has history. In the High Middle Ages, the district "Stadt Wachtendonk" with its walled town and castle was a fiercely contested city with changing rulers. As early as 899, and thus earlier than the town and castle of Wachtendonk, the land "Geisseren" located on the eastern, right side of the Niers is mentioned in written sources. In the 12th century, the Vogt of Geisseren then settled south-east of the present-day town on a "Donk" in the swamp area of the rivers Niers and Nette on the left, western side of the Niers. The castle he founded was named "Vogtendonk" after the owner's office. This name, from which the current spelling "Wachtendonk" probably developed, was also transferred to the settlement that gradually developed under the protection of the castle.

As a bastion on the front line, Wachtendonk was naturally drawn into the conflicts of the Eighty Years' Dutch War of Independence (1568 - 1648). In the process, the town developed into one of the militarily most important and most frequently contested places in the Gelders Upper Quarter.

Wachtendonk alternately fell under Dutch and Spanish rule. In 1605, the Spanish finally succeeded in taking possession of Wachtendonk. In 1607, Wachtendonk received the right of neutrality. The fortifications were demolished a year later, and Wachtendonk thus lost its military significance.

The castle ruins have been excavated and can be visited.