Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

30 INTRODUCING BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG

Castles and Châteaux

Belgium has the distinction of having more castles

in a given area than any other country in Europe.

Luxembourg might come a close second. These cas-

tles range from romantic medieval ruins and stern

fortresses built for defence, to the 19th-century

fantasy palaces of the super-rich. Today, many

of the grander châteaux remain in private hands.

However, there are plenty that admit visitors on a

regular basis, providing a fascinating opportunity

to explore the secular architecture of both coun-

tries’ often tumultuous past from the inside.

Vianden castle (see p251) rising above

the forested hills of Luxembourg

MEDIEVAL CASTLES

Throughout the medieval period, Viking invasions

and constant squabbles between rival duchies made

it essential for ruling nobles to protect their interests

with robust fortresses. The castles that survived have

undergone numerous transformations, but still bear

witness to the age of the siege-ladder and catapult.

RENAISSANCE CHATEAUX

After the arrival of gunpowder and cannons in

the 14th century, medieval fortifications gradually

became less effective. During the relatively more

stable rule of the Spanish Netherlands in the late

16th century, rich aristrocrats felt confident enough

to build grand châteaux with large windows.

However, they still kept an eye on the defences.

Kasteel Ooidonk (see p137), dating from the late 16th

century, shows influences from the Italian Renaissance.

This is overlaid by the distinctive Hispano-Flemish style

of the Spanish Netherlands, as seen in the exotic roof.

Château de Jehay (see p220), another

16th-century fortress, features turrets and

a moat. The castle was brought up to date

in style during the 18th century, but the

interior shows traces of the Renaissance

trend towards private, aristocratic life.

Kasteel van Beersel (see p164), built

in the 14th century, has a moat and

three towers facing an inner court-

yard. It was partly destroyed in 1489,

but reconstructed in the 20th century.

Lavaux-Ste-Anne (see

p211) is a magnifi-

cent feudal castle,

dating from the

13th century

and fortified

anew in the

15th century.

It now contains

a museum on

nature and

rural life.

Corner towers

protecting the

castle’s flanks

Exposed causeway crossing

the moat to the front gate