Since autumn 2024, the ground floor of the former Eyck residence, a castle from 1652, has been made accessible for visitors. Here you get an impression of the way in which art and the daily life of the Eyck couple, who moved from Heerlen to Wijlre in 1980, were intertwined. Jo and Marlies Eyck passed away in 2021 and 2023 respectively. The ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ Kasteel Wijlre estate was their life’s work, in which they harmoniously integrated contemporary art, architecture and nature with daily life. The ground floor of the Castle offers a glimpse into what that daily environment looked like.

In 2012, an important part of the Collection Eyck was acquired by Bonnefanten in Maastricht, which together with Kasteel Wijlre estate presented the exhibition ‘Maintaining its Spirit – Collection Marlies & Jo Eyck’ in 2024. Some of the works shown in the current presentation are on loan from Bonnefanten.

Special thanks go out to Elisabeth Strouven Fund, the owner of the estate and buildings since 2017, for making available the castle residence to Kasteel Wijlre estate's visitor journey.