Salamander Tower

The Salamander Tower, locally known as Tour Salamandre, stands in the town of Beaumont, in the province of Hainaut in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The Salamander Tower was built around 1050, as part of a small castle by Richilde, Countess of Hainaut, on the edge of a plateau. The tower served as part of the defenses of the town of Beaumont. Successive Counts of Hainaut, Baldwin IV and V, transformed the small town into a fortress.

It is said that in 1340, during the time of Jean de Beaumont, the castle was damaged by fire.

In 1408, the war between the citizens of Liège and the Prince-bishop ravaged the region, but Beaumont, which had modernized its walls, avoided disaster. Again, in 1477, after the death of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, the town escaped devastation.

In 1453, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, entrusted Beaumont to the De Croÿ family, who governed Hainaut for him. Over time, the castle was turned into a luxurious palace. Under the De Croÿ family, the town, castle, and ramparts were beautified. Charles de Croÿ-Aarschot, Duke of Aarschot and Croÿ, Prince of Porceau and Chimay, born in Beaumont in 1560, made Beaumont his favorite residence. He died there in 1612.

In 1632, the region was struck by the plague, which killed half of Beaumont's population. The town was besieged in 1637. In 1655, the town defied a requisition order and was subsequently taken and burned to the ground by Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne, on the orders of Louis XIV, King of France. Only 30 houses remained standing. Afterward, the tower fell into ruin.

Currently, the Salamander Tower houses a small museum, which can be visited for a small fee. A charming tower in a lovely little town.

Gallery