Heers Castle

Heers Castle

Heers Castle, locally known as Kasteel van Heers, lies next to the village of the same name, in the province of Limburg in the Flemish region in Belgium.

A castle of the Lords of Heers was first mentioned in 1274. During the Awans and Waroux War, that castle was burned down in 1328. It was rebuilt and passed to the Van Rivieren family in 1362 through marriage.

In 1467 Raes van Rivieren was lord of Heers and was thus called Raes van Heers. In that year he led an army of 12,000 civilians from Liège in the Battle of Brustem, against a professional army of 25,000 soldiers, led by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles I the Bold. The Duke routed Raes' army. The Burgundian troops then plundered the village and castle of Heers, after which it was set on fire. Raes van Heers fled to the French court. In 1477 he was forgiven and his possessions, amongst which the ruined Heers Castle, were returned to him. Raes van Heers then rebuilt the castle.

In the 17th century, the United Provinces were in conflict with the French king Louis XIV. So, in 1676 a strong Dutch garrison set up camp in Heers Castle. That same year, French troops besieged the castle, during which 2 towers were destroyed. The Dutch, however, received reinforcements from the city of Hasselt, which forced the French to lift the siege. The French returned later that year and attacked the castle again. This time they were able to conquer it, but they were driven out shortly after. In 1681 the castle was shortly occupied by German troops.

The last Count of Heers, Henri-Oger van Rivieren, died in 1682 and even though he had 14 children the family started dying out and were heavily in debt. To settle this debt, the dilapidated Heers Castle was sold to the De Stockem family. They then restored the castle.

Through marriage, Heers passed to the Desmaisières family in 1859. They will be the last private owners. In the late 20th century it was owned by 2 quarreling, elderly brothers of this family who both lived in separate wings of the castle. Due to financial troubles, maintenance of the castle stopped, causing it to fall into complete dilapidation. To preserve this Flemish heritage, the castle was finally confiscated by the Flemish government, in 2007. The castle was then consolidated and given into the care of Herita, a Belgian national heritage organization. They are now planning to restore the castle.

Heers Castle can be visited, but only on appointment. The castle garden is freely accessible during daytime. A beautiful castle.

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Heers Castle

Heers Castle

Heers Castle, locally known as Kasteel van Heers, lies next to the village of the same name, in the province of Limburg in the Flemish region in Belgium.

A castle of the Lords of Heers was first mentioned in 1274. During the Awans and Waroux War, that castle was burned down in 1328. It was rebuilt and passed to the Van Rivieren family in 1362 through marriage.

In 1467 Raes van Rivieren was lord of Heers and was thus called Raes van Heers. In that year he led an army of 12,000 civilians from Liège in the Battle of Brustem, against a professional army of 25,000 soldiers, led by the Duke of Burgundy, Charles I the Bold. The Duke routed Raes' army. The Burgundian troops then plundered the village and castle of Heers, after which it was set on fire. Raes van Heers fled to the French court. In 1477 he was forgiven and his possessions, amongst which the ruined Heers Castle, were returned to him. Raes van Heers then rebuilt the castle.

In the 17th century, the United Provinces were in conflict with the French king Louis XIV. So, in 1676 a strong Dutch garrison set up camp in Heers Castle. That same year, French troops besieged the castle, during which 2 towers were destroyed. The Dutch, however, received reinforcements from the city of Hasselt, which forced the French to lift the siege. The French returned later that year and attacked the castle again. This time they were able to conquer it, but they were driven out shortly after. In 1681 the castle was shortly occupied by German troops.

The last Count of Heers, Henri-Oger van Rivieren, died in 1682 and even though he had 14 children the family started dying out and were heavily in debt. To settle this debt, the dilapidated Heers Castle was sold to the De Stockem family. They then restored the castle.

Through marriage, Heers passed to the Desmaisières family in 1859. They will be the last private owners. In the late 20th century it was owned by 2 quarreling, elderly brothers of this family who both lived in separate wings of the castle. Due to financial troubles, maintenance of the castle stopped, causing it to fall into complete dilapidation. To preserve this Flemish heritage, the castle was finally confiscated by the Flemish government, in 2007. The castle was then consolidated and given into the care of Herita, a Belgian national heritage organization. They are now planning to restore the castle.

Heers Castle can be visited, but only on appointment. The castle garden is freely accessible during daytime. A beautiful castle.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 594