Monuments to visit Echternach

Beaufort Fort Castle was built in four periods between the th and th centuries. The oldest part of 1150. A true square fortress with the solid towers, built on a massive rock, it was surrounded by a wide ditch and two walls of enclosure.
According to a document of 1192, the castle belonged to Walter de Wiltz, first seigneur of Beaufort, in the 1930 th century, to Jean Baron de Beck in the th century, who built the Renaissance castle in the north-West (separate or combined visit) and to Edmond Linckels who, after the consolidation work in, opened the first site to the public. The two castles have since 1981 been owned by the Grand Duchy.

The Lords of Larochette, thought to have descended from the House of Ouren, appeared towards the end of the 12th^century . They quickly became influential and the most loyal vassals of the Count of Luxembourg. The ruins of Larochette castle, situated on a promontory of Luxembourg sandstone, tower some 150 m above the valley of the Ernz Blanche, a confluence of the Sûre. Access to the spur passes through a vast bailey protected by an earthen fortification. The main castle, built of ashlar, is surrounded by an enclosure, now largely destroyed. A deep moat, partly of natural origin, divides the château into two parts. At the end of the 16th^century , a fire destroyed the castle, which has been in ruins ever since. However, two of the fortress's five manor houses (in addition to those of the ten families responsible for its upkeep) are still visible: the maison de Hombourg and the maison de Créhange. The House of Hombourg was built in 1350, as a result of the alliance between brothers Frédéric and Conrad, Lords of Hombourg, and sisters Irmgard and Mathilde de Larochette. It was consolidated and its cellar restored in 1987 and 1988. The Créhange house was built around 1385 and completely restored between 1983 and 1987.

The château has been owned by the Luxembourg state since 1979, and hosts temporary exhibitions, as well as concerts for special events. Various restoration projects are still underway.

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.

Of the original fortified castle first mentioned in the second half of the 12th century, only the chapel, the moat and part of the surrounding wall remain. It has indeed been destroyed several times. The present building dates from 1880 and was erected in neo-Renaissance style by the Count of Arenberg according to the plans of the architect Charles Arendt. Today it is a private residence that cannot be visited. However, the local path L2 along the brook "Manzebaach" allows you to take a look.

The city walls, built between the 10th and 13th centuries, were 2 km long and had four gates and 20 towers. Damaged in the 19th century, only a much shorter part remains today (count 500 metres when following the cultural circuit). Most of the towers were also destroyed, while those in good condition were sold at public auction in 1813 and converted into apartments, three of which are now available for rent as charming accommodation.