Monuments of Huis Bergh
Precious monuments
In addition, four municipal monuments and several landmark buildings without official status are part of the heritage of Huis Bergh.
The monuments
Huis Bergh Castle forms the heart of a remarkable and valuable ensemble of monuments. At its center stands the medieval castle itself, one of the largest moated castles in the Netherlands. Parts of the building date from the 12th, 14th, 15th, and 17th centuries, giving it a unique and layered construction history.
Another important monument is the Motte Montferland, the largest motte fortification in the Netherlands and one of the most important in Northwest Europe. This artificial hill was a strategic defensive point in the landscape during the early Middle Ages.
The 15th-century Mint Building is another a valuable national monument. This building once served as a private minting workshop and is the only one of its kind preserved in the Netherlands. In addition, two historic windmills are part of the heritage, including the Zeddammer Mill, part of the Top 100 Monuments of the Netherlands and considered one of the oldest windmills in Western Europe.
Moreover, surrounding the castle are various smaller monuments, such as watchtowers, old houses, and the Oude Weem, a 16th-century building that served as a clergy house before the Reformation.
Tower mill of Zeddam
One of the rights of the Lords of Bergh was the right to use the wind. Only they were allowed to utilize the wind and build mills. Farmers from the surrounding area were forced to bring their grain to the Tower mill for grinding. The mill probably dates from before 1440, making it the oldest windmill in the Netherlands. Naturally, the lords did not do the grinding themselves. The mill was leased to a miller.
With the French Revolution, manorial rights were abolished, and the mill earned less and less. For this reason, the mill was sold in 1904. In 1929, the mill was threatened with demolition, but Jan Herman van Heek bought the mill and added it back to the Huis Bergh estate. The mill is still in use and can be visited. Keep an eye on the agenda for opening hours.
Motte Montferland
The Montferland motte is the largest motte hill in the Netherlands. The oldest castles were built on such a hill. Montferland is a natural hill that has been raised by human hands. Around the year 1000, the Counts of Hamaland had a castle here that was probably called Uplade. In 1016, Countess Adela of Hamaland was besieged here and the castle was destroyed. Later, the hill came into the possession of the Lords of Bergh. They had a hunting lodge built here. The hunting pavilion of Count Oswald III van den Bergh, also a national monument, has been preserved.
Today there is a hotel-restaurant on top of the motte, and you can enjoy beautiful walks in the surrounding area.
Black mill
The second historic mill owned by Huis Bergh is the Black Mill. The mill was built in 1829 to replace an older post mill. During the construction of the mill, old stones from the city gates of Emmerich were used. In 1912, Jan Herman van Heek also became the owner of the mill, which still belonged to the castle's estate. By then, the mill had probably already lost its sails and was grinding using a motor.
The mill was restored in 2018. During this restoration, no shaft or sails were installed in order to preserve the unique cap mechanism and the ceilings. The mill is open on National Monument Day and during National Mill Weekend.
Mint
For a century, the rhythm of hammers on silver and gold echoed here. The Mint was built around 1473, and coins were struck here for the Lords and Counts of Bergh until 1582, with a few interruptions. After the minting operation closed, the building was given a different purpose. It was used as a residence by prominent Bergh notables. Various representatives of the Count, and a minister used the building for their homes. In the 1960s, it was still partially inhabited. From 1968 to 1974, it underwent a thorough restoration. Following the restoration, the archives and the library were housed here.