This Celtic fortress served as a refuge for local tribes in the 7th, 6th and 5th centuries BC.
The site is listed as a "Major Walloon Heritage Site" (cultural heritage) under the name "Cheslé Archaeological Site" between Maboge and Nisramont.
According to popular legend, this remarkable and difficult-to-reach site was the refuge of all the elves. In any case, there are clear traces of habitation by a group of which little is known. In-depth archaeological excavations have been underway since 1960. Le Cheslé is a Celtic fortress (probably the largest in Belgium – 13 hectares) that was inhabited between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. During the Celtic occupation, notable improvements were made to the double fortress wall, which is more than 1750 m long. A reconstruction of this building was carried out in 1980 by the National Association for Excavations and gives an idea of the ingenuity of this people. It also shows the deterrent effect of the fortress for a possible enemy. Excavations, carried out by the Free University of Brussels, have studied the structure of the enclosing wall. This was built on the narrowing of the loop, the most vulnerable part of the fortification. It is a wall of about 6 metres high and built against any attack by the enemy from the high plateau. The historical and picturesque visit to this place deserves a half-day walk.
The Legend of the golden "Gatte" tells that in a well, located in the centre of Cheslé, lies a fabulous treasure that surfaces every year on Christmas Day when the bells have struck the twelve strokes of midnight mass. Anyone who wants to take possession of it must throw a black hen into the abyss and take the chest without saying a word. Three farmers, who tried this treasure hunt but had announced their success too loudly, have disappeared forever.
The site is registered in the Major Heritage of Wallonia under the name of archaeological site of Cheslé and Val de l’Ourthe between Maboge and Nisramont.
(Source: Maison du tourisme of Houffalize – La Roche)