Oud Herlaer

Oud-Herlaer was a castle. Herlaer Castle came to be known as Oud-Herlaer when a new castle, Nieuw-Herlaer, was built one kilometer upstream. The first indications of the possible existence of a castle at this site date back to 1076. This would have made it one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands.

Oud-Herlaer was a castle on the Dommel River, located west of Sint-Michielsgestel, almost directly across from Maurick Castle in Vught. The castle was only given the name Oud-Herlaer after a new castle was built a kilometer upstream, which was named Nieuw-Herlaer.

This castle was once the seat of the important manor of Herlaer (Herlaer), which itself granted fiefs. The List of Lords and Ladies of Herlaer includes a number of prominent noble families. Eventually, the manor became the property of the Marquises of Bergen op Zoom, who owned numerous other estates. As a result, the castle fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished.

The first written references to the possible existence of a castle at the site of Oud-Herlaer date back to 1076. This would have made it one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands. In 1645, the castle was described as a very old and strong fortress, featuring a large round keep and a square donjon that overlooked three watermills: a grain mill, a fulling mill for making felt, and a grinding mill for pulverizing oak bark for use in the tannery. In later years, the castle was scarcely inhabited. It fell into such disrepair that it was sold for demolition in 1736. Only a few walls remained standing. These were used to build a house and, in 1850, a farm called Out-Herlaer. A loophole from the former castle has been preserved in the barn.

This text has been translated using AI.