Valkenburg Castle vs HALO Eclipse Moments

NEW! EXPERIENCE THE VALKENBURG CASTLE RUINS WITH AUGMENTED REALITY Exploring the castle in its former glory, helping to prepare for a medieval wedding, and learning all about the numerous stages of building the castle went through, all this and more is possible thanks to the new Augmented Reality (AR) routes through the Valkenburg castle ruins. This not only brings the history of the former castle to life, it helps you become a part of it! Who wouldn't want to try that? Our new AR routes will make your visit to the remains of the imposing castle even more interesting and realistic! They offer a brand-new experience where nothing... Or should we say, everything is what it seems. Thank to this amazing technology, you no longer have to imagine the images and stories yourself. Instead, you can receive them directly on your smartphone as you explore the ruins. Download the app, grab your mobile phone, and immerse yourself in the history of Valkenburg Castle. You can choose from the experience route or the historical architecture route. Experience route: A medieval wedding As you go through the experience route, you will help prepare for a medieval wedding. You can use the AR app to open the drawbridge, light the candles, and hang the shield in the right place in the great hall. As you make your way through the castle, you will meet Lambert the travelling merchant, Heleen the cleaner, and servants Raes and Yda who are busily preparing for the wedding of Jan van Pallandt and Anna van Culemborg in 1495. Experience all aspects of the medieval atmosphere and let your imagination run wild. Historical architecture route: The creation of Valkenburg Castle If you have ever wondered how Valkenburg Castle was created, then make sure to follow the historical architecture route. Throughout history, the ladies and lords of the castle knew what they wanted to make of their castle. During this tour, you will discover the numerous stages of building the castle as well as the different towers that were part of it and their respective functions. Additionally, you will also be guided through the impressive areas in the castle such as the chapel and the great hall as it was back in the day. Good to know! Did you know that you can start on your AR route from the comfort of your home? After the download has finished installing, open the app and click on the ‘Sneak peek’ button for a sneak peek... Then try to decide which route you will take! Think you already know everything there is to know about the castle ruins? You are definitely in for a treat, we can assure you of that! Now, you can experience the castle ruins in an entirely new way.

HALO Eclipse Moments On August 12, 2026, millions of people will witness one of nature's most extraordinary events: a Total Solar Eclipse. HALO Eclipse Moments helps you prepare, observe and record your personal eclipse experience. Discover what the eclipse will look like from your location, follow every stage of the event, and contribute to a unique international project exploring how people experience totality. Whether this is your first eclipse or your tenth, HALO helps you make the most of this unforgettable day. Prepare for Eclipse Day The weeks before a total solar eclipse are part of the experience. HALO gradually prepares you for eclipse day with location-based information, practical guidance and interactive moments that help you know what to expect. Observe the Eclipse A total solar eclipse is about much more than looking at the Sun. HALO helps you discover the remarkable changes happening around you—from the changing landscape and sky to unique phenomena such as the Diamond Ring and other moments of totality. With the Observation Explorer, you'll learn what to look for and when to look for it. Record Your Experience Every eclipse is experienced differently. During and after the eclipse, HALO invites you to record your observations, thoughts and impressions through short surveys and optional audio recordings, creating your own personal eclipse story. Contribute to Eclipse Research By participating in HALO, you become part of an international project investigating how people experience total solar eclipses. Together, participants create a unique collection of observations that will help preserve and better understand this extraordinary natural event. Key Features • Personal eclipse information for your viewing location • Find out whether you are inside the path of totality • Countdown to August 12, 2026 • Interactive TimeTravel journey from weeks before the eclipse until totality • Eclipse timeline with key moments • Observation Explorer • Explanations of eclipse phenomena • Personal surveys throughout your eclipse experience • Optional audio recordings • Personal HALO profile • Secure cloud storage • Available in English, Spanish and Dutch Whether you are travelling to Spain, Iceland or another location along the path of totality, HALO Eclipse Moments helps you prepare, observe and record one of the most remarkable experiences nature has to offer. Prepare. Observe. Record.