Moha Castle

Moha Castle, locally known as Château Féodal de Moha, lies on a rock next to the village of the same name, in the Liège province in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The exact date when Moha Castle was built is unknown. The first reliable record of the castle dates back to 1031. At that time, an Albert was the Lord of Moha. In 1050, the castle came under the control of Henry I, Count of Egisheim and Dagsburg, through marriage.

After his death around 1067, five generations of his descendants ruled over Moha Castle. During their reign, the castle was transformed into a formidable fortress, thanks to its strategic location near the Principality of Liège as a Lorraine possession, controlling the nearby town of Huy.

In 1212, Albert II, Count of Dagsburg and the last Count of Moha, died without male heirs. Both Henry I, Duke of Brabant, and Louis II, Count of Loon, were related to Albert and claimed the county. The Duke of Brabant was also allied with the King of France, who threatened to invade Flanders, the traditional ally of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Prince-Bishop Hugues de Pierrepont united his allies: Louis II, Count of Loon, the Count of Rochefort, and the citizens of Huy. In 1213, the army of Hugues decisively defeated Henry's forces at the Battle of Steppes and took control of Moha Castle. By 1225, it was one of the twelve episcopal residences.

During the 14th century, under the rule of the De la Marck family, who were the Prince-Bishops of Liège, Moha Castle was used to imprison noble prisoners.

It was also used to control the town of Huy by blocking its supply routes. This led to several attacks on the castle by Huy's citizens. As a result, the castle was reinforced. In 1376, the citizens of Huy revolted against the atrocities committed by the German garrison under Jean d'Arckel stationed at the castle. They captured and destroyed the castle. Afterward, what remained of the castle was used as simple barracks.

In the 16th century, the castle was abandoned except for the castle chapel, which was inhabited by a hermit. The ruins were then used as a quarry by villagers.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the ruins were consolidated, destroying some historical traces in the process.

Today, Moha Castle is open to the public during working hours. It is a very beautiful castle ruin.

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