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現在の城郭群は主に16世紀のものですが、14世紀の四角いドンジョンを中心に建てられています。そのドンジョンの場所は当然ながら戦略的に選ばれており、周囲よりやや高いこの地点からは良好な眺望が得られます。 当初の軍事建築は、16世紀に防御と居住の快適性のバランスの取れた組み合わせへと姿を変えました。主棟の他に、農場、納屋、いくつかの付属建物が含まれており、これらが一体となって統一された景観を形成しています。これらの建造物はすべて地元産の石灰岩の破片で建てられており、梁、敷居、ドア枠、窓枠には丁寧に研磨された石灰石が使用されています。この素材の選択は、当時の職人の技量と所有者の裕福さを示しています。 Fameletteと関連付けられる最も古い領主は、Mohaの領主であるThiry Lardinois de Fameletteであり、これはこの領地と地域の封建的な権力構造との緊密な関係を示唆しています。1441年には、Mohaの代官を務めたCollar de Hosdenの手に城が渡りました。領主の代理人としての彼の役職は、この地域におけるFameletteの行政的重要性 を強調しています。 城の歴史における決定的な段階は1558年に始まりました。この年、南ネーデルラントで影響力のある貴族の家系であるBerlaymont de Floyon家がこの領地を取得しました。彼らの支配下で、この領地は2度の徹底的な改修を受け、既存の中世の構造が拡張され、美化されました。 Berlaymont de Floyon家は、フランス革命の結果を含む、急激な政治的・社会的な変化を特徴とする時代であった19世紀初頭まで、この城の所有者であり続けました。その後、Fameletteは貴族のAspremont Lynden家の手に渡り、彼らは1878年にこの領地をCarmeuse（石切り場）の所有者であるCollinet家に売却しました。 出典: www.burchten-kastelen.be

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 ;-)

Quarries have been a major industry in this region for almost a century. In recent decades, further expansion projects have been planned here in Moha. These have repeatedly met with resistance from residents of neighboring Vinalmont, where the rural hamlets of Wanzoul and Roua are threatened by an expansion of the quarry's current infrastructure. During a public inquiry organized by the local government in 1997, the number of written protests (nearly 1,500) exceeded the total number of residents of Vinalmont (over 1,070). Source: Wikipedia

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

Moha's old career

The "Rocher du Château de Moha" is a limestone outcrop rising from the Mehaigne valley. It was a strategically important site in the Middle Ages, when more castles were built on rocks. This made the site difficult to besiege, and it was well-placed as a control point over the valley. The rock is very recognizable in the landscape. The ruins on the rock are still clearly visible, and the medieval structures are still easily recognizable.

The Château de Moha is a medieval feudal castle in Wanze, built on a rock at the confluence of the Mehaigne and Fosseroule rivers. Dating back to the 7th century, the castle served as a defense for the region. It became the property of the Prince-Bishops of Liège, who used it as a fortress and prison. In 1376, the castle was captured by the inhabitants of Huy through deception, marking the end of its military function. The castle subsequently fell into disrepair, but the ruins have been preserved and are open to the public.