Hovenaar Castle – Templar Tower

The knights of Mulken were already mentioned in 1195. They lived on their estate with a fortified tower, surrounded or not surrounded by a wall. Only the decagonal keep or master tower remains from the original estate. The nearby house partly dates from the 18th century and partly from the 19th century.
As was customary in feudalism, the castle could only be accessed via an external wooden staircase leading to the upper floor. In case of danger, this staircase was cut away. Inside, one could descend via a stone staircase that, although heavily worn, is still present. Later, a doorway was cut out.
Canon of Herckenrode, who purchased the estate on April 19, 1598, found the building in a state of decay and had it restored. Above the doorway of the stone interior staircase is his family crest with the text above it: “Joannes Herckenroye me fieri curavit anno 1628” and below “Veni, vidi, flevi”.
The properties of the then lordship included a castle tower with a house, a farm with outbuildings, gardens, ponds, meadows, farmlands, and vineyards. The meadows were commonly used by the villagers, and the agricultural land was held in lease.
Some sources mention that passages lead from under the tower to the castle of Kolmont and to the city of Tongeren.

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