Autelbas Castle

Autelbas Castle, locally known as Château d'Autelbas, is situated in a quiet rural village of the same name, in the province of Luxembourg in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The village of Autelbas dates back to the 10th century, as evidenced by the remains of a Carolingian potter's workshop. Built near a creek that once fed its former moat, the castle dates back to the 13th century.

During the 14th century, Autelbas Castle became the noble residence of the d'Autel family and an important center of resistance against Burgundian rule. In 1377, its owner, Huart d'Autel, served as provost of the city of Arlon.

In 1413, the castle was besieged and destroyed, only to be rebuilt in 1432. The remains of that castle are what we see today. From then on, the castle passed through the centuries peacefully, despite internal family conflicts.

In 1983, Autelbas Castle fell victim to a large fire and burned to the ground. It has remained a ruin ever since. In recent decades, some restoration efforts have taken place, but it is clear that significant work is still needed to preserve it.

This is a charming ruin with many beautiful architectural details. It's unfortunate that it's in such poor condition. Due to its dangerous state, access is currently prohibited. The pictures below are from 2 different visits. Spot the differences…

Gallery

2005

 2021