Chimay Castle

Chimay Castle, locally known as Château de Chimay, lies in the town of the same name, in the province of Hainaut in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The site of Chimay Castle, a rocky promontory overlooking a crossing of the Eau Blanche River, was first used in the 9th century, when a church and a Carolingian villa were built there. Over the following centuries, the site gradually transformed into a fortified castle.

Around 1222, the castle came into the hands of the House of Soissons through marriage. They held it until 1317, when it passed to Jean de Beaumont, Count of Hainaut, again through marriage. Later that century, it transferred to the Blois-Chatillon family.

In 1434, Jean II de Croÿ purchased Chimay Castle, becoming Count of Chimay. In 1486, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I elevated the County of Chimay to the rank of a Principality. The De Croÿ family maintained ownership of the castle and principality until 1612, when it passed to the House of Alensberg. Around 1600, Charles III de Croÿ had transformed the castle into a luxurious palace.

During wars and fires in the third quarter of the 17th century, the castle was severely damaged by Spanish troops led by John Joseph of Austria and later by French troops under Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne. The castle fell into disrepair, and its defenses were destroyed.

When the Hénin-Liétard family inherited it in 1686, they were unable to live there. They owned it until 1804, when it was inherited by the Riquet de Caraman family. They renovated it during the 19th century, but it was again destroyed by a devastating fire in 1935. Their descendants, still Princes and Princesses of Chimay, own the castle to this day.

Currently, Chimay Castle is private property but can be visited for a fee. Unfortunately, it was closed during my visit due to COVID-19 restrictions, so I will have to return someday.

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