Elsloo claims the title "oldest farming village in the Netherlands". In the early Middle Ages, where the old castle of Elsloo was located, washed away by the Meuse over the centuries, a Carolingian palazzo was said to have stood. It used to be thought that the Viking camp Ascloha was located in Elsloo, from where around 880 numerous raids were undertaken in the Meuse-Rhine area.
Despite the strong growth of the village, this old core has been preserved in more or less original condition and has had the status of a protected village scene since 1971. Parts of the old village have disappeared due to the construction of the Juliana Canal. Via a steep slope, the Maasberg, you reach the lower canal from the church.
The best-preserved part of the village is called Op de Berg, which includes the 17th-century Schippershuis, which has been the regional museum of Elsloo since 1960. Elsloo is located on a steep edge along the Maas valley. The Juliana Canal and the Maas parallel to it form the western side. The Dorpsstraat rises steeply to more than 70 meters. Although the area to the north (Stein) and east (Beek) is largely built up, the area to the south is particularly beautiful. Here is the castle park of Castle Elsloo with the Slakbeek and the Hemelbeek, a botanical garden, ponds, a tea cupola, exotic trees and ornaments.
