Bütgenbach Castle

Bütgenbach Castle, locally known as Bütgenbacher Burg, is situated next to the dam of the Bütgenbach Reservoir in the village with the same name, in the province of Liège in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

Bütgenbach Castle was built in 1230 by Walram of Limburg, Lord of Monschau and Bütgenbach. It was constructed on a small rocky outcrop surrounded by the Warche stream. After his death, the castle was inherited by his son, Walram the Younger. When he burned down the village of Theux during one of his raids, the Bishop of Liège retaliated by attacking Bütgenbach Castle in 1237 and burning down one of its towers.

After the last male heirs of Limburg died out, Bütgenbach Castle and Monschau passed to the Falkenburg family through marriage.

In 1352, Bütgenbach Castle was acquired by the Counts of Vianden, who owned it until 1417. From then until 1795, the castle was under the rule of the House of Orange-Nassau.
The actual owners during this period were the Lords of Rolshausen, who resided in the castle. They remained owners of Bütgenbach Castle until the end of the 18th century, specifically until the French period. Under Christoph von Rolshausen, renovations were undertaken after the castle was damaged by fire during the Jülich Feud in the 16th century.

Although Bütgenbach Castle was considered impregnable in 1621, it was destroyed in 1689 by the troops of French King Louis XIV. By 1697, the castle was habitable again, but French rule from 1795 to 1815 ultimately led to its decline. Its ruins were used as a quarry for local houses.

Today, only a small part of a round tower and some indistinct wall fragments remain. So, this site is mainly interesting if you're nearby and a castle enthusiast like me.

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