ワンゼの洞窟・トップ20

2025年末、城とその付属建物の改修に関する都市計画許可が下りました。これは、ワロン地域の特別な遺産として分類されているこの17世紀の宝石に新たな命を吹き込むことを目的とした、大規模な修復プロジェクトとなります。城の主要部分の完全な改修と、ファサードおよび屋根の改善が含まれます。 このプロジェクトには、歴史的保存と一般公開を組み合わせた、大規模なゲストハウスとしての城の運営が含まれます。 2026年7月の私の訪問時、工事が開始されていることは明らかでした。私道沿いには工事用コンテナが置かれ、かなりの活動が見られました。 source: haltinne.be

ハルティンヌ城の敷地は、279.98ヘクタールの農地、森林、牧草地からなります。「ストルヴィオー」という小川といくつかの泉が、4つの池と城の堀に水を供給しています。 建築的な観点から見ると、ハルティンヌ城は例外的な遺産です。その今日の外観は、1600年代半ばに建てられた当時のままです。印象的な塔、狭間、堀は軍事的な機能を連想させますが、これは間違いなく城の農家です。 ファサード、屋根、堀だけでなく、城の壮大な階段もワロン地域の例外的な遺産として保護されています。この石段は幅2メートルの踏み板を持ち、幅の広い手すりも石でできています。この階段の重厚な性格は、四季の寓意を表す小像とは対照的です。 元々はレオポルド2世とシエルノン城のために意図されていた錬鉄製の門、東塔の偽窓、丸い石灰岩の柱で構成される藁葺き屋根の納屋は、一般公開されていない城の他の見どころの一部です。 出典: haltinne.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 ;-)

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

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.

Beautiful castle with moat in the limestone of the region from the 13th century. It was long the property of Charles the Bold.