You can’t head to Valkenburg without visiting the Valkenburg castle ruins and the Valkenburg caves. We initially decided to make a quick stop in the area just so that we could visit the Valkenburg caves and the castle ruins. Our plan was to head on to Maastricht and enjoy Kings day there.
We however were so enthralled by the city that we ditched Maastricht and decided that it was a spot that we would visit at a later date. Valkenburg in itself is a very quaint city with lovely cobbled streets, great food and a fun vibe.
I digress… We were talking about the Valkenburg Castle ruins and the Valkenburg Caves. Visiting both these attractions is very easy especially since they are literally one on top of the other. The ticketing counter is also the same for both!
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Valkenburg Castle And Caves Tickets
The Valkenburg Castle and caves tickets can easily be bought at the ticket counter. There are two counters actually. One is close to the Valkenburg caves. The other is at the entrance to the Valkenburg castle.
We entered from the side of the caves. Luckily for us there was a tour that was departing in 10 minutes so we booked our place in it.
Tips For Dutch Residents
If you are a Dutch resident and travel a lot within the country, I recommend getting the Museumkaart. These cards cost a bit in the beginning but they really help you save a lot in the long run.
We used to skip out on many attractions and museums because of the cost. With the museumkaart we can enter as many attractions as we want for free! The Valkenburg castle and the velvet caves were free because we carried the card.
Valkenburg Castle And Cave Ticket Costs
Adults: 15 euros
Children < 12 years: 12 euros
Children < 4 years: Free
Valkenburg Cave
The Valkenburg cave is also known as the Velvet cave. Located below the Valkenburg castle ruins, this cave was also a mine for stone. Here you can see how the stones were chipped and carved out of the Earth. There is a lot of history that is attached to the Valkenburg Cave.
Valkenburg Cave Tour
Taking a tour of the Velvet cave is one of the top things to do in Valkenburg. Luckily the tour is included as part of the tour and if you want to visit the Velvet cave. This is the only way in. Don’t be disappointed. It is a maze down there and it is best to have a guide!
The Valkenburg cave tour is conducted in Dutch but they have translated copies of all the information available at the ticket counter so make sure that you pick up your copy so you don’t miss out on anything during the tour.
Valkenburg Cave History
The Velvet cave dates back to the 11th and 12th century and is just one part of the network of passageways that exist below the Valkenburg Castle ruins.
These caves have served many purposes over time. From the time when the block cutters used it to mine stone to when the villagers hid inside during World War II, the Valkenburg cave has lots of stories to tell.
When you head out on the tour, there are many different stops on the way. Each one has a unique story to tell. The numbers are painted at each stop so you can always counter check against the paper.
Iconic Spots In The Valkenburg Cave
I’m no going to go through all the stops that we made when visiting the Valkenburg cave. What I will do is talk about the parts that rally caught my attention. In addition to this, there was a lot of art work that was carved in the stone. You need to be there to truly appreciate them.
The Block Cutter
The first stop on the tour shows how the block cutters carved out blocks of rock. Back then, the blocks were cut entirely by hand. The block cutters usually used a hammer, chisel, saws, wedges and an oil lamp.
One of the interesting things to appreciate in the cave here is the map.
The block cutters knew their way through the cave without a map but you can see an illustration of the passageways on the wall.
The Display Case
The turtle fossil in Valkenburg cave.
The children particularly liked the second stop on the tour. This included display cases that housed fossils. Some of these fossils were 60-80 million years old!
Way back then, Limburg was covered by a tropical sea. That is why many of these are marine fossils. The ancient turtle fossil is one of the most interesting fossils here.
The Hainosaurus
The Hainosauaraus in the Velvet cave.
The Hainosauraus is a half relief that was made by Sir Schiffeleers. This was done after the discovery of a masasaurus in the St. Petersberg hill in 1770. The Masasaurus is a giant reptile. The one that they found measured 110 cm.
When you see the carving in the wall, you will find that it looks a lot like alligators and crocodiles. This carving really fascinated all the children in the group. It is pretty realistic looking and I couldn’t help but shudder a bit thinking of the huge reptile swimming in the water. Very Jurassic park-like!
The Old Well
One of the places that I really liked was the old well. It may look like any ordinary well but if you look upwards, you can see just how deep underground you are!
The Chapel
One of the most beautiful parts of the Valkenburg cave is the chapel. Way back in 1794, south Limburg became a part of the French Republic. A lot of the laws changed. One of the new laws was that the subjects had to swear opposition to the French Royal House.
The priests refused to take this oath and they were no longer allowed to serve as priests. Many of them were captured and imprisoned. The priests that escaped had to serve mass in secret. One of the places where the mass was held was in the Velvet cake.
In the Chapel of the Velvet cave you will see an intricately carved altar, a place for confession, baptism and even a priest’s quarters.
Escape Routes From The Castle
Way back in the 12th and 13th century, there were escape routes from where the Valkenburg castle ruins now lie. These helped the inhabitants escape during the time of a siege. They were also used to store food or to attack the enemy from the rear.
Today the escape routes are cemented over but the guide will stop for a minute to show you where they were before.
Lost In The Cave
In August 1993, 2 boys sneaked into the velvet cave by Cadier en Keer. They did not have permission to enter. Sadly their flashlight broke and they got lost. The cave network is pitch dark underground. The boys got lost and what was even worse, they lost each other too.
The boys never made it back to the surface. They perished underground due to a combination of dehydration, hypothermia and fear.
At one spot in the tour, the guard will turn off his guiding light. This will show you just how dark the cave is when there is no artificial light. Keep your children close by especially the young ones because they tend to get scared of the dark.
Valkenburg Castle Ruins
Inside the Valkenburg castle ruins.
Once you have visited the Valkenburg cave and have finished with the tour, the tour guide will drop you off next to the Valkenburg castle ruins. Yes! You get out at a different exit! This part of the complex can be explored on your own and you can set your pace. It is pretty easy to navigate around but I would highly recommend leaving the stroller at home for all this.
There are steps everywhere so you will either have to skip different parts or lug the stroller up steps which is no fun at all. The stroller is definitely not compatible with the Velvet caves.
Why Are The Valkenburg Castle Ruins Famous?
The famous Valkenburg castle ruins.
The Valkenburg castle is the only castle in the Netherlands that was built on the top of a hill. This isn’t entirely surprising though since the country is largely flat. The castle ruins are listed as one of the top 100 historical monuments in the country and are really popular among both local and foreign tourists.
Built in the 12th century, this castle has seen a lot of wars and combat before it finally fell. In the 18th century, the castle was plundered for its stone and other material.
Today the Valkenburg castle ruins is a heritage site that is open for the public at a cost of course. It allows you to dive back into the rich history of Valkenburg. It is an interesting way for both children and adults to learn about the past.
Though our kids were just 2 and 3 years old when we visited, they had lots of questions. One thing that I will say… The Valkenburg castle ruins and the Velvet caves are worth visiting more than once.
And there you have it. This is all the information that we currently have on the Valkenburg castle ruins and the Valkenburg cave aka Velvet cave. This is certainly a spot that should be on your list if you live or visit the Netherlands. It is rich in history and fun to wandered around.
