Amblève Castle

Amblève Castle, locally known as Château d'Amblève, is situated in the woods northwest of the town of Aywaille, in the province of Liège in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

Amblève Castle was first mentioned in 1049. In 1252, it belonged to the Duchy of Limbourg, and in 1285, to the Duchy of Brabant. Afterward, it changed hands several times, including Philippe the Bold and the House of Burgundy.

In 1429, it came into the possession of a family closely related to the De La Marck family through marriage. Evrard II de La Marck inherited the castle in 1531. His widow left it, in 1566, to her niece Isabeau de Hoisteden. In 1570, Isabeau married François de Loncin, who kept the castle until it was destroyed in 1578.

For in 1577, Amblève Castle was occupied by a garrison of William of Orange, who supported the Protestants and organized the uprising of the United Provinces against Spain. So, in 1578, at the Spaniards' order, the castle was attacked and subsequently demolished by Catholic troops.

This is a beautiful castle ruin. First, there’s a pleasant half-hour walk through the woods, after which it looms up through the trees. It's overgrown but still reveals many architectural features, including several fireplaces and a cistern. It’s very enjoyable to explore, with an adventurous feel to it. Also, from the site of the former keep, you get a great view of the river below. The ruins are freely accessible. A personal favorite of mine.

Gallery