Beaufort Castle

Beaufort, Luxembourg

Beaufort Castle consists of the ruins of the medieval fortress and an adjacent Renaissance château. It probably originates from the 11th century when a small square-shaped fortress was built on a large rock protected by a moat and a second wall above the valley. A reference from 1192 indicates that Wauthtier de Wiltz et Beaufort was its first lord. During the first half of the 12th century, a keep was added and the gate was moved and enlarged. In 1348, the property came into the hands of the House of Orley after Adelaide of Beaufort married William of Orley. The Lords of Orley made significant extensions overlooking the valley. In 1477, Maximilian of Austria transferred the castle to Johann Bayer von Boppard after Johann von Orley-Beaufort committed a breach in trust. In 1539, Bernard von Velbrück became Lord of Beaufort through marriage and added the large Renaissance wing with cross-framed windows on top of the medieval walls.

The castle then came into the hands of Gaspard de Heu who had married Velbrück's granddaughter. A partisan of the Dutch resistance and the House of Orange, de Heu was captured by the Spaniards, accused of heresy and treason, and publicly executed in Luxembourg's fish market in 1593. Philip II of Spain confiscated the property and entrusted it to Peter Ernst Graf von Mansfeld, the governor of Luxembourg. Through marriage, the castle became the property of Henri de Chalon and then Gaspard du Bost-Moulin who had to sell it after being ruined by the Thirty Years War. Acting on behalf of the Spanish king, Johann Baron von Beck, governor of Luxembourg, bought most of the property in 1639. He initiated the construction of the Renaissance castle in 1643 but after he died of injuries from the Battle of Lens in 1648, the work was completed by his son in 1649.

After various changes in ownership including Pierre de Coumont (1774) and Jean Théodore Baron de Tornaco-Vervoy (1781), the castle was abandoned, fell into disrepair and at the beginning of the 19th century was even used as a quarry. In 1850, it was listed by the State as a national monument. In 1893, the new owner Henri Even restored the new building and, in 1928, Edmond Linkels cleared the rubble away and opened the medieval castle to visitors. In 1981, the property was acquired by the State.

The ruins of the medieval castle are open to visitors in summer season.

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Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Luxembourg

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Simona A (4 months ago)
Amazing castle. Even though there are 3 parking lots, on nice wether days it is very hard to find parking, except on the side of the road . A lot of great trails start next to the castle. Entry fee in the castle is 7 €.
Jeff Leinen (5 months ago)
Well worth 7 euros to walk through this beautiful castle.
Gary Thorne (5 months ago)
Great castle ruin, beautiful grounds and adjacent to walking paths. We visited on a Monday and there were very few visitors. The pamphlet provides a self guided tour, and the grounds are well kept. We also walked a trail that starts and ends at the castle, approximately 10km of natural beauty, a nice stream and rocky valley in the woods. Beautiful area.
Robbert (7 months ago)
Very nice castle, just wonder if the staff likes people.... speaking as minimum as possible to costumers. For the rest loved the visit
Jenny Savelyeva (11 months ago)
A ruin worthy of a visit, part is still under the renovation though. A little cafe downstairs offers coffee and other drinks. A great visit with kids, beautiful forest walk next to the castle, too.
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