THE CASTLES OF BEAUFORT

The town of Beaufort has not one, but two castles nestled in the heart of Luxembourg's Little Switzerland. They are both the property of the Grand Duchy since 1981

.the medieval castle in ruins.

The old castle of Beaufort was built in several periods, between the 12th and 16th centuries. The oldest part dates back to 1150. A real square fortress with solid towers, built on a massive rock, it was surrounded by a large ditch and two surrounding walls. We will take the time to observe the architectural details of the guard room: ogives and visible keystones... The ruin being relatively well preserved. According to a document of 1192, the castle belonged successively to Walter de Wiltz, first lord of Beaufort, in the 12th century, to Jean Baron de Beck in the 17th century, who built the Renaissance-style castle in the northwest (visit separately or combined), and to Edmond Linckels who, after consolidation work carried out in 1930, was the first to open the site to the public.

We suggest that you pay attention to the following elements:

The water stone

: placed in the kitchen of the castle, the water stone is a moving witness of past times... One cannot help but think of the person who washed himself or herself in it to prepare his or her meal.

The torture room:

the sinister devices presented in the torture room are nevertheless worth a look, if only to realize the terrible conditions reserved for captives at the time. Among them, a table with rollers bristling with spikes in order to plough the backs of prisoners who did not want to speak... the mere mention of it makes one feel cold!

The Cassero:

the unavoidable tasting at the end of the visit! You will have understood it: the Cassero of the castle! Made on the spot, this fruity liqueur, ideal for making kirs, can also be drunk plain. Among the three existing flavors: raspberry, blackcurrant and blackcurrant-cherry... Possible purchases of bottles or mignonettes (small sizes).

The Renaissance castle. Built upstream of the medieval castle, in the Haupeschbach valley. Since its construction in 1649, the new castle has always been a residence of the owners. Upon the death in 2012 of its last occupant, the Ministry of Culture took the initiative to open the castle to the public for guided tours, with the help of the Service des sites et monuments nationaux and the Friends of the Beaufort Castles.