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Excavations are conducted year-round at Moha Castle, making it unique in Belgium. When I visited, two archaeologists were uncovering a wall that runs beneath the visible castle and likely dates back to the 12th century.

The castle is free to visit. At the foot of the rock, there's a visitor center where you can pick up a badge to open the gate. For €4, you can also get a brochure with information about the most important points. The castle is only open to visitors starting in April, but the friendly man at the visitor center let me in on February 27th... as far as you can even call it "inside" at this ruin ;-)

Scherpenberg Castle is a historic castle located at Dreef 99 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. It is part of Flanders' preserved heritage and forms part of the cultural-historical landscape around the Jeker river and the De Kevie nature reserve. The castle is recognized as a building heritage site due to its long history and architectural value. The current castle building dates largely from the late 16th and 17th centuries, built on the site of an older castle. Remnants of that original castle are still visible in the western substructure. The complex comprises an elongated main building with a gatehouse, two and a half stories high, under a slate hipped roof. Architectural details such as bacon bands and marlstone cornices are typical of the style and period of construction. Above the entrance is a chronogram from 1697 with the coats of arms of the Vaes and Schroots families, who occupied the castle at that time. Over the centuries, the castle changed owners and was associated with various noble families, including the Scarpenbergh, Baest, Hoen, de Limelette, van Brecht, de Berlaymont, Bex, Vaes, Mantels, and Corswarem families. Some parts of the building, such as service buildings, turrets, and outbuildings, also have historical value and display architectural elements from various periods. Scherpenberg Castle is situated in a green and rural setting that invites visitors to walk and explore the historic landscape around Tongeren. It is not always freely accessible to visitors because it is often privately owned and does not function as a public museum, but it remains a recognizable and valuable cultural-historical monument within the region.

Rosmeulen Castle is a historic country house and estate of great architectural and heritage value, located at Neremstraat 229 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. Dating back to the early 20th century, the building represents a unique combination of Neo-Rococo and Art Nouveau architecture, designed for chocolate and gingerbread manufacturer Florent Rosmeulen. Construction of the manor house, originally named La Brise, began around 1911, opposite the Rosmeulen chocolate factory. However, the founder himself never fully occupied the building, partly due to financial difficulties and the impact of the First World War. The building is situated amidst a romantic castle garden in the English landscape style, featuring ponds, lawns, mature trees, walking paths, and a walled vegetable garden, all contributing to the estate's unique atmosphere. The imposing entrance hall features a majestic staircase and stained-glass windows, while the exterior facades are richly ornamented with features such as bay windows, colonnades, and a round tower under a domed roof. During the First and Second World Wars, the castle was used by German and later American troops, respectively, reflecting its strategic location and the building's role during that time. After the war, the manor changed owners several times. Families such as Duesberg-Bossen Blijweert and Riskin lived there, and the Riskin family, in particular, carried out maintenance and renovation work for many years. In mid-2020, the castle was purchased by Dirk and Bie D'haese, who began a thorough restoration to restore the dilapidated building to its former glory. Their goal is not only to preserve the heritage but also to open the castle and park for use by associations and for events, with spaces such as a large hall of over 300 m² available. The castle is included in the Inventory of Immovable Heritage of Flanders for its architectural value, rich ornamentation, and its location in a historic park with a pond. Rosmeulen Castle, together with the former Rosmeulen chocolate factory and the surrounding landscape, forms a recognizable and valuable ensemble in Nerem with ties to the local industrial culture of the early 20th century, the social history of the region, and today's heritage conservation.

The former Rosmeulen chocolate factory in Nerem, a submunicipality of Tongeren (Belgium), is a unique industrial heritage building with a rich history and striking architecture. The building was erected around 1908–1909 by Florent Rosmeulen, a chocolate maker who produced chocolate, cocoa, and gingerbread there. It is one of the few industrial buildings in Limburg built in the Art Nouveau style, with characteristic details such as an impressive stained-glass window above the entrance and decorative references to cocoa and chocolate. The structure is among the first in Belgium to be constructed with a reinforced concrete frame, which was progressive at the time and contributed to its robust industrial appearance. The factory flourished in the first decades of the 20th century but was severely affected by the economic crisis of the 1930s. After reorganizations, the company went bankrupt in 1934, and production ceased. In the decades that followed, the building served various purposes, being used by soldiers during World War II, then by other industrial enterprises such as a textile factory and a tin foundry, and later also for cultural activities. After years of vacancy and decay, the former chocolate factory was repurposed as a residential complex in the mid-2010s. Under the name "De Chocoladefabriek" (The Chocolate Factory), the industrial monument is being preserved and transformed into a residential project with lofts and apartments combined with communal areas and gardens. The impressive Art Nouveau block, with a stained-glass window approximately 6 meters wide, is one of the highlights of the renovation and is one of the largest glass artworks in an industrial context in Flanders. The repurposing of the former chocolate factory has become an example of how historical industrial heritage can be integrated into modern residential spaces. The project was even recognized with a prestigious real estate award for the way the old building was preserved and revitalized. Today, the building not only commemorates the region's industrial history but also forms an architectural and social hub where residential heritage and modern architecture merge, close to the De Kevie nature reserve and the former railway line.

Augustinian Abbey on the Meuse River, whose origins date back to 1075. The complex features an impressive corner tower, gateway, abbey church, dovecote, watermill, brewery, and other outbuildings. Later, it also housed a tax collection house and the abbot's palace. Today, it's a large school complex that can be very busy on a Wednesday afternoon.

The exact origins of the medieval County of Moha remain unknown. It is likely that the county was formed during the fragmentation of the Carolingian Empire and the Hesbaye region at the end of the 9th century. The first known count, Albert of Moha, is mentioned in a document dated 1026 or 1028. The first defensive stone walls also date from the first half of the 11th century. Having no male heir, Albert of Moha married his daughter to Henry I of Dasbourg around 1050, thus linking the county's destiny to that of this powerful family of Alsatian origin. Initially, it is highly unlikely that the Counts of Dasbourg regularly resided in Moha, entrusting the county's administration to trusted men and a small garrison. However, the situation changed with Hugh II (1130-1180) and his son Albert II (d. 1212), who decided to become more involved in the region's politics. Albert II, in particular, chose to align his interests with those of his nephew, Duke Henry I of Brabant, whose policies he would follow until the end of the 12th century. In 1204, Count Albert III, having lost hope of having a son, chose the Prince-Bishop of Liège as his heir. But the late birth of his daughter Gertrude would jeopardize these agreements. Quickly betrothed to Thibaut of Lorraine, who died in 1219, she then married Thibaut of Champagne, who repudiated her, and subsequently Simon of Linange. At 19, she died childless. On March 19, 1225, the Prince-Bishop of Liège, Hugues de Pierrepont, took possession of Moha. Under the Prince-Bishops, Moha became a prison for political prisoners and a fortification tasked with controlling the city of Huy and blockading merchants. This policy was deeply unpopular and led to reprisals: the people of Huy besieged Moha in 1255. The fortress of Moha was considered impregnable. It was therefore through trickery that the people of Huy, taking advantage of a request for a truce, seized the castle on May 6, 1376. After the attack on the castle, the site's history is largely unknown. Mass is still celebrated twice a year in the castle chapel. During the 18th century, the ruins served as a refuge for a hermit. The castle's stones were gradually plundered, notably to build the surrounding houses. In 1889, the ruins of the castle were purchased by the Belgian state. Source: https://chateaumoha.be/histoire

Neoclassical country house built of limestone and brick by Théodor de Géradon in 1853. In the 19th century, the family further embellished it with two square houses. Current owner Bernard Jolly restored its original grayish-white facade. Unfortunately, the castle's charm is not visible from the road. Among the outbuildings is the old abbey farm, which dates back to the early 18th century but was later incorporated into the castle.