Castles of Belgium

Belgian castles remember so many stories that if these stone old-timers could talk, their stories would go on forever. The castles witnessed great battles, thousands of intrigues wove under their walls, hearts broke during lush balls, dozens of kings and counts discussed the country's past and made plans for the future. Even now, if you listen, you can hear the echoes of the footsteps of hundreds of servants and the overflowing laughter of the court ladies. And if you forget for a moment that the castles of Belgium are cultural property, and look at them only as an architectural object - the grandeur and bold monumentality of these buildings hypnotize and completely capture attention.

The Kingdom of Belgium has more than 3,000 palaces, castles and citadels, 400 of which are open to the public. Each building is unique in terms of architecture and has its own history, worthy of a good screen adaptation. I recommend your visit to the most interesting of them.

Bouillon Castle. Despite its simple geometry, it admires the grandeur of its appearance. The castle was planned as a reliable defensive structure and coped with the task. The powerful walls did not notice the attacks of thousands of cannonballs, like a lion does not notice mosquito bites. The castle remembers its first owner - the knight of the crusader Gottfried V. When the knight needed money, he sold the fortress to the bishops. 15 centuries after that, Buillon was reconstructed and a monastery with a brewery was built on its territory, which still brews beer according to a secret ancient recipe. The simple appearance of the structure is one hundred times compensated by the chicness of the interior decoration, which has not changed since the XVII century. Once in the castle, you will learn how knights and armies hid behind thick casemate walls, how kings inscribed themselves in history, sitting at chic palace tables, how dukes entertained themselves by watching shows featuring birds of prey.

Haasbek Castle was built by the Duke of Brabant just 15 kilometers from modern Brussels. For almost a thousand years of history, it belonged to many generations of noble families and protected them from numerous attacks by hostile neighbors. Gradually, this building acquired additional elements: a chapel, a baroque pavilion, a beautiful garden. But the fortress could not resist the French and was almost completely destroyed in 1659. It took almost two hundred years for its reconstruction, the fruits of which we see to this day. You will be surprised by the harsh tower walls, the strict aesthetics of bay windows, the sophistication of the interior. On the territory of the castle there is a museum, visiting which you will witness the life of medieval nobles.

You can call yourself lucky, having visited this fortress. In the Middle Ages, in order to get into it, people had to not drown in the river on the way, not to fall into the base swamps, not to break their legs in the ditches. And even surviving these adventures, it remained to overcome the impregnable fortified walls. The castle even in our time is one of the most durable structures in the world. Unsurprisingly, there was a prison on its territory for a long time, which hid sunlight from many criminals and enemies of the kingdom. If you have strong nerves and a vivid imagination, you can visit the museum of medieval instruments of torture, whose exhibits combine cruelty and ingenuity.

Vev Castle is a relatively small structure, impressive to the layman not in size, but in picturesqueness. It is deservedly considered a masterpiece of 15th century architecture. Strict geometry of the facade, six classical turrets. The oldest protective wall that has survived to this day, protects the owners of the castle since the 13th century. Interestingly, Veve for all the time of its existence belonged to one single family, which is a rarity for European castles. Built by the descendants of Pepin of Gerstal, it was destroyed twice (in the 13th and 15th centuries) due to war and fire, and was restored almost from scratch. The owners of the castle followed the aesthetics of the interior, so the elegance of furniture and household items can surprise even those tourists who have seen a lot.

La Roche en Arden is a striking example of military architecture. A castle with a difficult fate. Built in the homeland of the Celtic tribes in 844, it has long been without towers and a fortress wall. The completion of defensive elements was allowed only in the 14th century. After that, the castle was repeatedly fortified, which did not save it from destruction, restoration and destruction. The walls of the estate remember the indifference of the Spaniards, who received the fortress and abandoned it, a fire in 1721 caused by a lightning strike and the aerial bombardment of 1944, disastrous for the construction. You will see the ruins of a once beautiful structure, but these ruins will always bear the attractive imprint of the incomprehensible power of nature and the irrational cruelty of man, which hovers in the atmosphere even after centuries.

Chateau de Jehay Castle is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Renaissance. Many people for many centuries participated in its construction. At first, the castle was a Celtic fortification, then the Romans used it to build a defensive fortress, which became the foundation of a more powerful structure built in the Carolingian era. In the 15th century it was almost destroyed and reborn again, more beautiful, rich and refined. From others, this structure externally differs with motley stonework. The interior of the castle shouts about the wealth and aristocratic class of owners. Halls of different sizes with expensive furniture skillfully woven tapestries, beautiful paintings and statues. If you want to know what the quintessence of luxury is, visit Jehe Castle.

Once a high moat prevented opponents from approaching the gates closely, now, in its quiet mirror waters, three towers are reflected, which mockingly look at small and fragile people trying to enter the castle in peace or war. The building served as a home for the Seneschals and dukes, withstood sieges, was a workplace for cotton spinning wheels, was rebuilt and restored, but has come down to us almost in its original, unchanged form.

Charming - these are the first words that break from the lips when looking at the facade of the castle. It’s amazing that you want to scream at every room. Indescribable - with a deep and exciting exhalation pronounced aloud during a visit to the garden of Laarne Castle. A photo of you proudly posing against the backdrop of a beautiful structure can become one of the most beloved in your album. The corridors and halls of the castle can be wandered for hours. Expensive furniture, beautiful paintings and household items. Each meter of the room has its own legend. If you want real and genuine impressions – be sure to include it in your itinerary.

On the banks of the river Meuse there is a tiny town of Dinan, known to travelers only two attractions - the Church of Our Lady and the Citadel. The citadel is placed on a rock and resembles a silent sentry, ready to unleash all his anger on detractors. You can get to the fortress by funicular or walking. Choosing the latter, you condemn yourself to a hard walk, which, five times justified after. Powerful sheer walls of the castle from afar frightened anyone who tried to enter it, and brought terror near. From the castle you can see a divine panorama of the town and its surrounding nature. The citadel itself looks simple and practical. If you are a fan of military history, be sure to appreciate the collection of combat vehicles and trophies of the First and Second World Wars.

Namur Castle Citadel is a bulky cluster of buildings on a small mountain, numbering several generations of walls. Each of them, like a ring on a tree, can tell about a specific historical period, from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. The total size of the territories of the citadel of the adjacent park reaches 70 hectares. Getting to the top of the mountain you can see the old wide platform, which serves as an open-air hall for street footballers, musicians or theater troupes. Once upon a time, the Belgian king himself sat on it. A must-see for anyone who can experience the “spirit of history”

Miranda Celle Castle has been abandoned since 1991. The owners left it, but do not give it to the municipal authorities. Add to this the gloomy Renaissance architecture, high walls and sharp spires of the chapel – we get a real sinister miracle of architecture. A castle with a rich history, which was only once captured. You will be interested in the interior of the times of Louis XVI, a chapel for prayers, a weapons room, chic living rooms and a bedroom.

The oldest building in Antwerp, built around 1200. The castle was periodically completed or rebuilt, which can be seen by the darker or lighter color of its fragments. The fortress managed to visit a prison and an archaeological museum. Most of the castle was demolished in the 19th century, deciding to exchange the architectural heritage for another embankment. But what's left is fascinating. The defiant power of the walls, high monuments, a wide arch - all this plunges the traveler into the Middle Ages to such an extent that sometimes you can hear the clanging of the swords of a brave knight fighting for the honor of a lady and the heavy breathing of his horse.