Schelmentoren

Schelmentower
Schelmentoren
Heerlen, the Netherlands
oldest still erect buildings in Heerlen
Schelmentower
Coordinates	50°53′17″N 5°58′50″E / 50.88804°N 5.98044°E / 50.88804; 5.98044Coordinates: 50°53′17″N 5°58′50″E / 50.88804°N 5.98044°E / 50.88804; 5.98044
Type	Donjon
Site information
Owner	Ok
Open to the public	No
Site history
Built	1200 (1200)
Built by	Theoderich van Are

The Schelmentoren in Heerlen is a Medieval Building that has served as a defendable living tower for the Here van Are (sometimes called the counts van Ahr-Hochstaden) and their successors. As part of the Landsfort Herle, it served as a prison tower. It is believed to be built on command of Theoderich van Are. What is certain is that the building existed in the 12th century.

Although now known as the Schelmentoren, it has had many names (Bickelstein (or Bickersteyntoren )). In the year 1225 it was part of landsfort Herle (sometimes referred to as Castrum)