Holiday apartment in Nieuwstadt: town history, nature and walking routes

Between town history and green surroundings

Nieuwstadt is situated in a green setting between the Geleenbeek and the Vloedgraaf. To the north of the town lies the 't Hout nature area, a varied deciduous forest with poplars, pedunculate oaks and ash trees.

A planned townscape with medieval traces

The deliberately planned town of Nieuwstadt is arranged around a rectangular market square, from which straight streets radiate. Nieuwstadt was first mentioned in historical records in 1242 and already held the town rights of Guelders in 1277. The remains of the former defensive walls and gates are still largely visible in the streetscape. The market square and the straight streets give the historic townscape a clear form.

The market square therefore provides a clear reference point for viewing the town plan, traces of the fortifications and evidence of the medieval cloth industry in the townscape together.

At the end of the Middle Ages, the cloth industry flourished in Nieuwstadt; the Gewandhaus on the market square and a fulling mill point to this development. The church of Nieuwstadt was built at the end of the 13th or beginning of the 14th century and is considered late Romanesque or Romanesque-Gothic. The Church of St John the Baptist in Nieuwstadt is richly decorated with stained-glass windows. A small white Marian chapel at the Millenerpoort was built in 1858.

Huize Witham and historic buildings

Huize Witham is also known as Huis Wittem. The large brick house lies on the southern edge of Nieuwstadt and was built around 1700 on the remains of an older castle dating from 1444. In the Dutch Rijksmonumenten register, Huize Witham is listed under monument number 33894. The enclosed forecourt is bordered by a wall and accessed through a large gate. Huis Witham is considered a castle in the immediate vicinity of Nieuwstadt.

Kasteel Millen is a ruin in the immediate vicinity of Nieuwstadt, as is Kasteel Grasbroek. Kasteel Doenrade is a castle in the surroundings of Nieuwstadt.

Walking, loops and park areas

The Ommetje 't Hout can be started at the market square in Nieuwstadt and extended with additional loops. A walking route through Nieuwstadt begins at the market square, follows the almost completely preserved inner rampart of the medieval fortified town and passes Huize Witham.

The additional loops alter the length of the first route, while the second connects the medieval fortified structure with the historic building on the southern edge.

Limbrichterbos and Hommelheide are among the park areas in the immediate vicinity of Nieuwstadt. De Doort and Haaselaarsbroek are also among the park areas in the surroundings of Nieuwstadt.

Tradition throughout the year

The St. Jansprocessie in Nieuwstadt is an annual procession through the town held on the feast day of the parish patron saint. Neighbourhood associations decorate the entire route of the St. Jansprocessie with coloured sawdust.

Echt, Koningsbosch, Roosteren, Sint Joost, Susteren, Maria Hoop

Echt-Susteren