Bettembourg Castle

Bettembourg, Luxembourg

There was a small fort in Bettembourg as far back as the 10th century. A tower was added later but was removed when further extensions were made in the 17th century. A second castle was built around 1733 by Lothaire de Zievel and his wife Appolinaire-Agnès-Elisabeth de Haagen Motten. The neighbouring stream known as the Düdelingerbach was probably one of the reasons they chose the site. The rather austere architectural style was typical of the period, especially as the building was designed in the interests of farming.

The oldest part of the castle is the south wing which housed stables and barns. The north wing, now the main part of the U-shaped complex, was added later. In about 1759, Jean-Henri de Zievel charged the architect Rousselet de Boulay with major restoration work. In 1765, on the death of the last member of the De Zievel family, the castle fell into the hands of the castle manager, Marc-Antoine de Verniolles. Various proprietors followed including members of the Hohenzollern-Hechingen-Haigerloch family (1780), Charles Joseph Collart de Donnea, owner of the Dommeldange iron works (1807), followed by various members of the Collart family until 1971. When his wife, Daisy Collart-Weber, died in 1969, August Collart decided to sell the property. The commune of Bettembourg bought the property in 1971 and, after undertaking extensive restoration and reconstruction work, opened the building as the Bettembourg town hall in 1991.

The castle now serves as the commune's administrative building and as the town hall of Bettembourg. One of the important transformations has been the creation of a large cultural room or art gallery. The castle's ornamental wooden panelling and its many fireplaces are of particular interest. The large park surrounding the castle is also open to the public.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1733
Category: Castles and fortifications in Luxembourg

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Michael Dias (12 months ago)
Embark on a journey through time and immerse yourself in the captivating charm of Bettembourg Castle, a historical landmark that stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Luxembourg. Nestled amidst the vibrant town of Bettembourg, this picturesque castle exudes an aura of elegance and grandeur, seamlessly blending its centuries-old legacy with modern elegance. Stepping into the castle's grand entrance, you'll be greeted by a magnificent courtyard, adorned with lush greenery and manicured lawns. The imposing façade of the castle, with its intricate stonework and arched windows, evokes a sense of awe and wonder. Venture inside the castle walls and discover a treasure trove of historical artifacts and architectural splendor. Explore the opulently decorated salons, where the echoes of past gatherings and celebrations still linger. Admire the ornate moldings, intricate carvings, and stained glass windows, each element a testament to the castle's rich history. As you wander through the castle's halls, take a moment to appreciate the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The castle's elevated position grants panoramic vistas of the town, the picturesque countryside, and the majestic Moselle River.
Jeff Leinen (12 months ago)
Stopped by specifically to visit the Christmas Market with my oldest son. Not the biggest or as visually stunning, but this market felt like what I suspect Christmas Markets were really like hundreds of years ago. Community. Loved the love Christmas music played by local musicians.
Bas Apswoude (3 years ago)
Super
José Miguel Villacorta (4 years ago)
Beautiful building.
John Herint (4 years ago)
Opening hours ..The best commune :) staffs are very friendly and helpful
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Bengtskär Lighthouse

Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.

German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.

After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.