Broekhuizen: Nature, History and the Meuse

The landscape, local history and events offer different starting points for planning your trip to Broekhuizen. Schuitwater represents the surroundings of an old branch of the Meuse; the area’s architectural history ranges from the late Gothic church to the ruins of Kasteel Broekhuizen. Cycling traditions, cultural events and a ferry connection to Arcen add to the picture. You can start by choosing the theme you want to make the focus of your stay.

Nature and trails

Schuitwater is a varied natural area surrounding an old branch of the Meuse. If you want to explore on foot, you can plan a specific route: the 6.3-kilometre Broekhuizen walking route starts and ends at walking junction 20 in the Schuitwater car park on Horsterweg. Its shared starting and finishing point marks it as a circular route and gives you a fixed place to begin and return to. The stated distance gives your walk a clear framework for planning your day.

Architectural history and village scenes

Kasteel Broekhuizen was built on the boundary between the riverbank ridge and the Broekhuizenbroek, an old branch of the Meuse. In November 1944, the castle was badly damaged by a bombing raid by English aircraft; after the war, the municipality of Broekhuizen continued to demolish it. The surviving ruins lie outside the village near the hamlet of De Stokt. The castle’s construction, wartime destruction and surviving remains form distinct chapters in its history.

St. Nicolaaskerk is a single-nave late Gothic building with a three-sided choir ending, dating from around 1500. “Single-nave” describes a layout with one main nave; the choir ending refers to the shape of the building’s end. St. Christoffelkapel stands at the junction of Veerweg and Hoogweg in Broekhuizen and was built in 1960. Kapel op de Stokt is a St. Joseph chapel built in 1939. The construction dates give each chapel a time reference; the church dating from around 1500 provides an older architectural point of comparison.

The Molenmonument stands near the site of the former watermill on the Broekhuizer mill stream, making it possible to place the history of the mill in its physical setting.

Cycling traditions and events

On the edge of Broekhuizen stands the Fietsersmonument, an artwork honouring the annual Tour de Brokeze cycling tour. The tour was first held in 1959 and traditionally takes place on Shrove Tuesday; the exact calendar date changes each year. If you want to plan your trip around the tour, check the date for the year in question.

Since 2014, Brokeze Bruist has been a cultural event for both villages, held in September. In Broekhuizen, the village centre up to the Maaskaimuur serves as the venue for stages, street theatre, animations and exhibitions. If this programme determines your travel dates, check the exact event dates for the year in question.

Ferry and local offerings

A ferry connects the Meuse villages of Broekhuizen and Arcen; its carrying capacity is 80 tonnes. If you are planning a crossing, check the current timetable and operator information, as services and timetables may change.

On the edge of the Schuitwater nature reserve, on the De Roode Vennen estate, you’ll find Theetuin Vanilla. Offerings include coffee, a variety of teas and homemade pastries. If you want to plan a visit, check the current offering, as it may change.

If you’re travelling around a ferry crossing or a festival, the exact timetable or dates are important. This lets you plan your stay around the themes you want to include in your trip.

Discover more destinations: Hegelsom, Griendtsveen, Melderslo, Grubbenvorst, Broekhuizenvorst, Lottum, America, Sevenum.

Back to the main travel overview: Horst Aan De Maas.