Stevensweert Castle

Already in the early Middle Ages, through inheritance, the area between the Old Meuse and New Meuse became the possession of the noble Van den Bergh family. Oswald van den Bergh (1508 - 1546) was Lord of Stevensweert. His son Willem (1537 - 1586) married Maria van Nassau, sister of William of Orange. They expanded the residential tower, erected by the Lords of Pietersheim, into a spacious castle with a moat.

Afterwards, a roundel was built from which one had an excellent view over the Meuse and enabling control over shipping traffic. Tolls could be charged in kind or otherwise. Through their relationship with Orange, they professed the Protestant faith.