Moha Castle

Moha Castle, locally known as Château Féodal de Moha, lies on a rock next to the village of the same name, in the Liège province in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

When Moha Castle was exactly built is unknown. The first reliable mention of the castle dates back to 1031. At that time an Albert is Lord of Moha. In 1050 the castle went to a Henry I, Count of Egisheim and Dagsburg, through marriage.

After his death, around 1067, five generations of his descendants ruled over Moha Castle. During their reign the castle was transformed into a formidable fortress, due to its close location to the Principality of Liège as a Lorraine possession, controlling the nearby town of Huy.

In 1212 Albert II, Count of Dagsburg and the last Count of Moha died without male heirs. Both Henry I, Duke of Brabant, and Louis II, Count of Loon, were related to Albert and claimed the county. The Duke of Brabant was also allied with the King of France, who threatened to invade Flanders, the traditional ally of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Prince-Bishop Hugues de Pierrepont rallied his allies Louis II, Count of Loon, the Count of Rochefort and the citizens of Huy. In 1213 the army of Hugues decisively defeated the army of Henry in the Battle of Steppes and took possession of Moha Castle. In 1225 it was one of the twelve episcopal residences.

During the 14th century, under the rule of the De la Marck family, Prince-Bishops of Liège, Moha Castle was used to incarcerate noble prisoners.

It was also used to control the town of Huy through blockades of its supply routes. This led to several attacks on the castle by the citizens of Huy. As a result the castle was strengthened. In 1376 the citizens of Huy revolted against the atrocities committed by the German garrison under Jean d'Arckel stationed at the castle. They took the castle and destroyed it. After that the remains of the castle were used as simple barracks.

In the 16th century the castle was abandoned except for the castle chapel, which was inhabited by a hermit. The ruins were used as a quarry by villagers.

In the beginning of the 20th century the ruins were consolidated destroying historical traces in the process.

At present Moha Castle is freely accessible during working hours. A very nice castle ruin.

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Moha Castle

Moha Castle, locally known as Château Féodal de Moha, lies on a rock next to the village of the same name, in the Liège province in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

When Moha Castle was exactly built is unknown. The first reliable mention of the castle dates back to 1031. At that time an Albert is Lord of Moha. In 1050 the castle went to a Henry I, Count of Egisheim and Dagsburg, through marriage.

After his death, around 1067, five generations of his descendants ruled over Moha Castle. During their reign the castle was transformed into a formidable fortress, due to its close location to the Principality of Liège as a Lorraine possession, controlling the nearby town of Huy.

In 1212 Albert II, Count of Dagsburg and the last Count of Moha died without male heirs. Both Henry I, Duke of Brabant, and Louis II, Count of Loon, were related to Albert and claimed the county. The Duke of Brabant was also allied with the King of France, who threatened to invade Flanders, the traditional ally of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Prince-Bishop Hugues de Pierrepont rallied his allies Louis II, Count of Loon, the Count of Rochefort and the citizens of Huy. In 1213 the army of Hugues decisively defeated the army of Henry in the Battle of Steppes and took possession of Moha Castle. In 1225 it was one of the twelve episcopal residences.

During the 14th century, under the rule of the De la Marck family, Prince-Bishops of Liège, Moha Castle was used to incarcerate noble prisoners.

It was also used to control the town of Huy through blockades of its supply routes. This led to several attacks on the castle by the citizens of Huy. As a result the castle was strengthened. In 1376 the citizens of Huy revolted against the atrocities committed by the German garrison under Jean d'Arckel stationed at the castle. They took the castle and destroyed it. After that the remains of the castle were used as simple barracks.

In the 16th century the castle was abandoned except for the castle chapel, which was inhabited by a hermit. The ruins were used as a quarry by villagers.

In the beginning of the 20th century the ruins were consolidated destroying historical traces in the process.

At present Moha Castle is freely accessible during working hours. A very nice castle ruin.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 7393