Enchanting castles
Remember you can click on the small pictures to get a big one

ROCHEFORT



We find the first mention of this castle in 1155 when it is the property of the family “Montaigu”. Unfortunately, not much is known about this period. After that time it became property of the “Walcourts” and qualified as the biggest castle in the area. The castle was remodeled in the 17th and 18th century. Count “van Rochefort”, the prince of the Empire, wanted to make of the old stronghold, a palace. The keep was taken down; walls were demolished or integrated in the new building. This new castle is well known to us because of the detail plans we still have from 1746 of this palace. The domain went from one family to another. A brick square house was built in 1840. A new neo-gothic castle was built in 1906, which is now a school. The ruin became a protected monument in 1966. And were restored, strengthened and opened to the public. Because of the strategic setting of the castle it was throughout the centuries often under siege. In 1445 an army of French soldiers under the command of captain “Nadonnet” arrived at the gates. After a few days of battle the “Nadonnet is bribed and he returns back to France”. The year is 1651 and there is a war between Spain and France. Colonel “Latour van Lotharingen” who fights on the Spanish side takes the castle and for three months it is used as quarters for his army. In 1653 the castle is again under siege. This time it is the troops of Count “van Duras” who fights on the French side, who tries to take the castle. This siege is however a failure. A few months’ later “Duras” returns but again he cannot take the castle. He is so frustrated that he destroys Eprave and Behoge instead. 1674 the castle is taken by the troops of the Empire who use it as barracks. At the end of the Ancient Regime (1774) the castle was stormed by the inhabitants of Rochefort. They were able to get in the castle but were not able to enter the housing of the Count. I personally visited the ruins in June 2001 and had to pay 60bef to get in. The visit was enjoyed although the ruins are not very spectacular, it will give you a good idea how this massive castle once looked. There is also a great view over the village and surrounding landscape from the towers. You will find a little museum in one of the remaining towers. Take the E414 to Dinant, Take the Exit Rochefort and you will find the ruin in the middle of town.




POILVACHE



Make note that this is “the biggest medieval castle”. This slogan is proudly plastered on the brochure of this ruin. The fortress must have been indeed very impressive. It was about 300 meters long and between 60 and 90 meter wide. Nine towers and two bastions defended the square stronghold. There is not much information available about the early history of the castle. There is a paper that talks about that the stronghold was erected in 815 by the 4 sons of Duke “Aimon d’Aigremont’. They had a little encounter with Emperor “Charlemagne” because the oldest of the “d’Aigremont” brothers had killed by accident the nephew of the Emperor when he smashed a chessboard on his head. Ouch. The Emperor wanted to take the castle with a scheme. So he sent in “Hernier de la Seine”. “Hernier” opened the gate while everybody in the castle was sleeping and let in 100 of his best knights. The noise of those hundred men having had straddled the horses in the castle with the noise waking the 4 brothers. They were so furious that they killed all but 12 knights and “Hernier”. It was maybe better if “Hernier” was killed in the battle because now he was convicted for betrayal and was quartered after he was tight with his limbs to 4 horses. “Charlemagne” was so angry when he heard the news that he attacked the castle with his elite army and burned it down. The four brothers were however able to escape with 500 horsemen in the vast forest of the Ardennes.
Some historians assume that Count “Conrad van Luxembourg” lived in the castle in the 11th century. They also assume that the first name of the castle was “Chastiaul d’Emeraude”. Throughout the years the name changed into “Meraude” (first mentioned in 1228). The name changed during the second part of the 13th century into“Poilvache”.
During the summer of 1430 the 30,000 man strong army of “Jean de Hyensbergh Crown Prince of Luik” arrive at the gates of the castle. After a heroic battle the castle falls in the hand off the besiegers. The mighty castle is dismantled so that it is no longer a threat.
This is however not the end of the bad times for this unique site. The year 1554 sees the passing of the army of “Henry II” who had just destroyed the village of Bouvignes He found it necessary to also demolish what was left of Poilvache. However, the ruins were the scenes of more wars. During the revolution of Brabant (1790) the armies of Austria placed canons on top of the ruin so they could shoot at the patriots who were tugged in on the other site of the river.
You can visit the ruins and surrounding nature. I visited the place in June 2001 and paid 60bef to get in. You can walk freely in and over the ruins and the view over the valley of the river Maas is breathtaking. When you walk around this peaceful setting it is hard to imagine that this was once the scenery of violent wars. There are two ways to reach the ruin. You can park you car in Houx (along the road Namen – Dinant) and take the path beside the cemetery. A hike of about 25 minutes uphill will bring you to the ruins. You can also go by car. Take the E411 to Dinant, Exit 19 and then drive to the direction of Yvoir. You will see the signs that will lead you to a parking place close to the ruins.



MONTAIGLE




During the time when the Flemish militias crushed the army of France “Gwijde van Dampiere” was one of the heroes of the golden spur battle in 1302 and he erected this castle in the 14th century. The castle became the residence of the countesses of Namen. “Margierite de Lorraine” lived there from 1311 and a
century later it is “Jeanne d’Harcourt” widow of “Willem II van Namen” who graces the castle with her presence. The castle managed to get through the troubled years of the end of the 15th century without too much damage, when the pillaging armies of “Guillaume de la Marck” burnt down and terrorized most surrounding villages. However, 1554 means the end of this mighty castle when the army of “Hendrik II” besieged the stronghold and destroyed it completely. Since then local farmers used the ruins as a stone pit and many poets and painters found inspiration in the dramatic setting of the ruins. The family “De Polchets” bought the ruins in the 17th century and the Count “van Beaufort” is the first one who started with some restorations in the 19th century. The organization, “Friends of Montaigle”, takes care of and strengthened the ruins since 1965. They often do excavations.
I visited the site June 2001 and was very fascinated by the still impressive looking ruins. You can walk freely all over the ruins in addition to there also being a small museum at the entrance where you can see all the stuff they have found during the excavations including a video about the history of the castle. Montaigle must be one of the most romantic places in Belgium. A visit is a must when you are in the area. Take the road Namen – Dinant, then take the direction to Maredsous and after a while you will see the ruin on your left. On the drawing you can see a reconstruction of how the castle looked like in all its glory.



LOPPEM




In 1859 somebody had the idea to build a new castle at the outskirts of the village Loppem. Architect – artist “Jean de Bethune” got the order to construct a castle that would become an organic unity. So he not only designed the castle but also the furniture and the inside decoration. Together with the castle he also designed the garden.
The brothers “Albert and Ernest Van Caloen" decided to develope a maze in the castle garden. In 1873 they started together with “E.H. Van Der Meersch” to construct the maze and planted almost two km of hedges.
Also history made a halt at the castle. In 1918 “King Albert I” stayed at the castle and formed there the so-called “Government of Loppem”. He made two important decisions in the castle. First he decided that everybody should have the right to vote with elections and secondly he signed a paper that would make Flanders officially Dutch speaking.
You can visit the castle. You will find a vast art collection , with paintings, wooden gothic sculptures, porcelain and pottery. The castle is not always open best you call them to make sure when to visit the castle. Tel +32 50 82 48 76.


D'AERTRYCKE



The area where this castle is built was always a wasteland where only a few small farms were found. It was part of the vast domain of Wijnendale. After the French revolution lots of property that were once in the hands of the church or noblemen was sold. The rich landowner “Joseph de Pottere” bought a large part of it and started in 1825 with the exploitation of the land. He filled up natural ponds and drew lanes through the forest and moor. Between 1830 and 1841 he ordered a mansion to be built in the neo-gothic style and named it “D’ Aerdenhutte”. In 1865 there came an end to the "Pottere" dynasty on this domain and the land was bought by “August de Maere”. He decided to build a castle in the place of the mansion. The neo-gothic castle and romantic gardens were built between 1869 and 1871. The family “de Maere – d’Aertrycke lived in the castle until 1990. Only between 1920 and 1928 the castle was in the hands of the American red cross and the family “Lemahieu”.
The castle is now a congress center with an outstanding restaurant. There is also a hotel that is constructed in the former stables. The former caretaker house in now an inn where you can have a drink and a bite. The park is property of the province and you can walk freely all over the domain.
For more info call +32 50 22 01 24


WALBURG



I have a lot of pictures of this castle but very little historical information. Walburg is a 13th century water castle. Knight “Willem van Waelwyck" bought the castle in 1550. He named it Walburg after his wife Walburgis. The castle is a protected monument since 1975 and is nicely restored. You can find Walburg in the park of the city Sint Niklaas. If I am not mistaken it is now used as a cultural center


S'GRAVENWEZEL



The shape of this castle is still pretty much the same as it was in the middle ages when it was part of the defending belt around the city of Antwerpen. It was architect “van Baurscheit de Jonge” who builds in 1729 an elegant castle on top of the remains of the old fortress for Baron “van Susteren”. He kept the north and east walls of the old castle and incorporated them in the new castle. The early history of the castle is dark and sketchy. There are indications of a certain “Walterus dictus greve de Wesele” in 1312. After that not much is known until the early 18th century when the immensely rich “Melchior van Susteren” becomes owner of the building. In the second half of the 18th century it becomes property of baroness “Isabel Roose Vecquemas de la Vere”. She lived peacefully in the castle as “Marie Antoinette” and beautified the castle interior. After that it came into the hands of the Barons “Pélichy" and subsequently to their decedents “Gilles”. Since a couple of years the castle is property of the antique dealer “Michiel Vervoort”. In the castle and its surrounding buildings he established a collection of the most beautiful art and furniture in Europe.
Two times a year the castle opens its doors for the public. For more information call +32 03 658 14 70
The castle is in s”Gravenwezel about 15 km to the north of Antwerpen


BLAUWENDAEL



The current castle in neo Flemish renaissance style was built in 1890 after a design of J. De Waele. The domain where the castle stands on is since 1607 property of the noble family “de Neve de Rode”. They sold the domain in 1940 to the founder of the Manta Company. The castle is since 1980 property of the city Waasmunster. The castle is now used for several functions You can walk freely in the park.




A small privatly owned castle I spotted when I was driving from D'Aertrycke to Loppem