Fluweelengrot
The Fluweelengrot in Valkenburg aan de Geul is a system of corridors hewn in sandstone from the 12th century .
The mined marl was used for the construction of the Valkenburg . In the 19th century the corridors were decorated with ornate charcoal drawings; a chapel that can still be visited today served as a refuge for the priests in the 18th century. It was not until 1937 that secret medieval escape routes were discovered that connect the Valkenburg castle ruins with the outside world. So in the Middle Ages the knights were able to ambush their besiegers. During the Second World War , the caves served as a refuge for the residents of Valkenburg.
Nowadays visitors can explore the secret and nested passages of the maze with a German, English or Dutch speaking guide.
A Christmas market takes place in the marl caves during Advent .
Web links
- Information on the Fluweelen grotto (German, Dutch, English, French)
Coordinates: 50 ° 51 ′ 36.9 ″ N , 5 ° 49 ′ 49.5 ″ E