The historic fortified town of Valkenburg aan de Geul, located in the south of the Dutch province of Limburg, is a real tourist magnet. This is evidenced not only by the ruins of Valkenburg Castle, the only hilltop castle in the Netherlands, but also by the Den Halder fortress tower, which, like the seven city gates (only three of which still exist today), was built during the construction of the city wall by Dirk IV van Valkenburg. One of the three city gates was the Berkelpoort, built in 1335 and named after the owner of the fiefdom of what is now Neerhem, Heinric van Birckelaer. On the field side of the gate, there was once a moat with a drawbridge, fed by the Geul river that flows through Valkenburg. The gate served as an entrance for travelers approaching the city from the southeast, coming from Aachen via Schin op Geul and Oud-Valkenburg. The Dwingel, a narrow path between the defensive walls leading to the main gate of Valkenburg Castle, still exists today. In 1923, the Berkelpoort, which was still closed daily until 1830, was restored according to the designs of architect Willem Sprenger. Since then, traffic has been diverted around the gate. In addition to the Berkelpoort, there is also the Geulpoort, located on the north side of the historic center of Valkenburg, which was gradually demolished from 1644 onwards but rebuilt in 2014. The third city gate, located northwest of Valkenburg Castle, is the Grendelpoort, whose name is derived from the former Grendelput well, which was located nearby. Not far from the Grendelpoort, there was also a tower where gunpowder and rifles for the weapons were stored. There was also a guardhouse for the gatekeeper who guarded the entrance to the city. After the hilltop castle was blown up in 1672 by its governor William II for fear of the French, the fortifications lost their importance and were partially demolished. Today, all three city gates made of Limburg marlstone shine again in new splendor thanks to restoration work. Not only are they listed buildings, but they also allow me and many others to take a stroll through Valkenburg’s history as a fortified city.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery!
My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us.
At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers!
My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark.
You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras!
But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them.
With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all.
TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes.
Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories.
Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
