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The castle's origins date back to the 11th century. It was first documented in 1155, but the first buildings probably date back to the time of Bishops Henry of Verdun (1075–1091) and Otbert (1091–1119). As one of twelve residences of the Prince-Bishop of Liège, it served to defend the eastern border of the principality.

Limburg but in Liège, with a big dash of history...

The capital of the former Duchy of Limburg was considered an impregnable fortress. The former stronghold of Limburg occupies a strategic location on the banks of the Vesdre, between the ramparts of Herve and the Ardennes massif. Limburg's architectural legacy, which towers above everything from a steep rock, has been included in its entirety in the list of Wallonia's exceptional heritage. In addition to the site, many private monuments have also been protected since 1980.

This former town hall, built between 1681 and 1687, hosts exhibitions and houses a model of Limburg from the year 1632. The portal is decorated with a shield of the Burgundian cross. In the basement you will find one of the oldest seals in the city.

The fact that Belgium and the Netherlands both have a province of Limburg is "thanks" to this former fortified city on the Vesder in the current province of Liège known as Limbourg, with its beautiful centre and once the capital of a duchy, also called Limburg. Or rather: we actually "thank" it to King William I who decided in 1815 that the current provinces of Limburg, which in Belgium largely overlap with the former county of Loon, would be given the name of this former duchy. And that despite the fact that there was virtually no overlap between the territory of Limburg that had long belonged to the former States-General of the Netherlands and the current provinces. But William I did not want the name of that duchy in the land of Herve to be lost and got his way. Today, the former capital of the former Duchy of Limburg is, after a turbulent history, a beautiful village with a fascinating historical centre in the wonderful land of Herve and more than worth a visit, even though the character of a fortified town has somewhat disappeared over time. And the province of Limburg in Belgium? Historically, it would have been much better called the province of Loon or, it is blasphemy, one with the province of Liège, whereby the current Limburg had little to do with Flanders and, together with Liège, was always much closer to Germany. Only many do not like to hear that historical reality.

The capital of the former Duchy of Limburg was considered an impregnable fortress. The former stronghold of Limburg occupies a strategic location on the banks of the Vesdre, between the ramparts of Herve and the Ardennes massif. Limburg's architectural legacy, which towers above everything from a steep rock, has been included in its entirety in the list of Wallonia's exceptional heritage. In addition to the site, many private monuments have also been protected since 1980.

Franchimont: a former fortress of the Bishop of Liège in the north of the Belgian Ardennes. The castle of Franchimont (province of Liège, municipality of Theux) was one of twelve residences and fortresses of the Principality of Liège. The fortress was first mentioned in writing in 1155, but the first buildings were probably built during the time of the bishops Henry of Verdun (1075-1091) and Otbert (1091-1119). During the feudal period, both bishops vigorously defended the principality. Nestled in the middle of "non-Liège" territories (Duchy of Limburg and Luxembourg, as well as the Principality of Stavelot), the country thus had not only a defense system, but also an administrative and judicial center where the representative of the Prince-Bishop resided. The castle defended a mark, a kind of border

The ruins of Franchimont Castle (French: Château de Franchimont) stand on a rocky outcrop in the Ardennes in the municipality of Theux, about eight kilometers from Spa. Franchimont is the name of a former fortress and, until the Liège Revolution, a margraviate in the diocese of Liège. The castle complex originated from a building from the 11th to 12th centuries, which was supplemented by a large protective wall at the beginning of the 16th century. The first written mention dates back to 1156, from the time of Bishop Henry II of Liège. The castle was demilitarized around 1650, as the artillery technology that had been developed in the meantime meant that it was vulnerable to attack from the neighboring hills. After that, it was mostly used as a prison, but also as a summer residence for nobles. In 1676, Louis XIV ordered its destruction, but it was only partially carried out. In the following century, the castle was visited by several crowned heads because of its peculiarities. Since 1967, it has belonged to a non-profit foundation that carries out restoration and maintenance work and carries out excavations in the area surrounding the castle. Today, Franchimont is a tourist destination, with a railway station on the Verviers-Spa-Géronstère railway line.