Poilvache Castle

Poilvache Castle, locally known as Château de Poilvache, lies above the village of Houx, in the Namur province in the Walloon region in Belgium.

The exact date when the castle was founded is unknown. Legend says that Poilvache is the legendary Montessor Castle built for the Four Sons of Aymon to escape Charlemagne's wrath.

Poilvache Castle was first mentioned in 1228 as Château d'Émeraude (Emerald Castle). It was then owned by Isabelle of Bar, who inherited it from her mother, Ermesinde, Countess of Luxembourg, in 1226. During that period, the castle was significantly strengthened. In 1238, the castle was besieged by John of Eppes, Prince-Bishop of Liège, after Isabelle's husband, Waleran de Montjoie, broke a peace treaty. The siege was unsuccessful, and John died on his way back to Liège. After Waleran’s death, Isabelle handed over the castle to her half-brother, Henry V, Count of Luxembourg, in 1254. At that time, it was called Château de Méraude.

In the late 13th century, during the rule of Henry VIII, Count of Luxembourg and later Holy Roman Emperor, Poilvache prospered. Henry even established a mint in the village, and the castle became one of the largest fortifications in the Meuse valley. Its strategic importance was due to its location between Dinant (part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège) and Bouvinges (part of the County of Namur).

Around 1312, Poilvache Castle was besieged and damaged by troops from Dinant.

In 1342, the castle and village were sold to the County of Namur. The Counts of Namur held it until 1421 when John III sold the entire county to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. Philip had the castle reinforced in anticipation of an attack from Liège. In 1430, John of Heinsberg, Prince-Bishop of Liège, laid siege to the castle with an army of 30,000 men. Poilvache could not withstand this assault and fell. John then dismantled the castle and demolished its buildings and the village.

In 1554, invading French troops destroyed what remained of Poilvache. The territory and ruins remained in noble hands until 1782, when they were sold to a commoner. During the Brabant Revolution in 1790, Austrian troops used the site to bombard rebels across the river.

Today, the remains of Poilvache Castle include not only the castle, but also the walled village connected to it. It is situated on a high spur above the River Meuse, with the castle controlling the only entrance to the village at the eastern end. Currently, Poilvache Castle can be visited for a small fee. It’s a beautiful castle ruin with excellent views over the Meuse River.

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