Vêves Castle, Houyet, Belgium

The Castle of Vêves, close to the village of Celles, is an exceptional heritage site due to the pristine state of preservation of and one of Belgiums the most remarkable examples of late mediaeval military architecture. According to tradition, the site has been occupied by castles since the time of Pippin of Herstal (7th century). In the later Middle Ages, the area fell under control of the Beaufort family, which oversaw the construction of a stronghold here in about 1230.

The present castle, in the form of an irregular pentagon and flanked by six round towers of varying size, dates largely from around 1410. Successive restorations modified especially the walls of the inner courtyard, one of which is lined with a distinctive half-timbered gallery of two levels, and another of which was given a red brick facade in the Louis XV style. The northern frontage is crowned with a small cupola containing a clock.

Vêves castle is open to the public.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Filip Jasinski (4 months ago)
How come this place is not more advertised? As a castles-lover I na had a GREAT time. Perfectly preserved, with kind staff and affordable entry, the looks and interior of this castle are breathtaking. BTW, our visit was during Halloween and the owners did a splendid job arranging the place accordingly. Absolutely a must see for those driving in the area or thinking of adding a place to their Dinant itinerary. Once again, superb castle to see!!!

Hristian Georgiev (6 months ago)
Amazing place. Great for a short day trip if you're staying in Dinant.

Ward D'Hooghe (7 months ago)
The Castle of Vêves in Belgium is a fairy-tale gem. Nestled in Celles, it boasts medieval architecture with its distinctive conical turrets and well-preserved interiors. The enchanting setting offers picturesque views and a glimpse into noble life. A must-visit for history enthusiasts and romantics alike.

Shaheen Nasser (8 months ago)
Beautiful castle. Calm location. Small children's park nearby. And a cafe at the entrance. Not crowded at all

Kristin W (8 months ago)
Pretty castle and good waffles. We only walked around the grounds as we had limited time but I recommend checking it out

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Vêves Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus