Hesperange Castle

Hesperange Castle, locally known as Château de Hesperange or Schloss Hesperingen, lies in the town with the same name, south of the city of Luxembourg, in Luxembourg.

The village of Hesperange was first mentioned in 867/868 as property of the abbey of Echternach. Hesperange Castle was probably built in the beginning of the 13th century by the Lords of Rodemack (or Rodenmacher as they are known in German).

When the city of Luxembourg was taken by the Burgundian armies in 1443, the Lords of Rodemack sided with the French. Gerhard of Rodemack fought with the French against the Maximilian I of Austria; the Holy Roman Emperor. As a result Hesperange Castle was destroyed in 1480 by Austrian troops. After that the castle was probably rebuilt for in 1482 it was again destroyed.

In 1492 Hesperange Castle was given to the nephew of Maximilian; Christoph von Baden. The Lords of Baden spent more than they had and in 1632 had to mortgage Hesperange Castle. Only in 1740 were they able to buy back the ownership of the castle.

In 1796 French revolutionary troops took possession of Hesperange Castle. In 1798 the French authorities declared Hesperange Castle to be national property and sold it through auction. Later on several plots on the castle grounds and its ruins were sold separately and in 1820 there were already 7 houses situated in and around the ruins.

The ruins of Hesperange Castle were declared National Heritage in 1984. At present the ruins are still situated on private grounds. The ruins themselves can not be visited but you can walk through the dead end street that gives access to the houses situated in and against the ruins.

A nice ruin, too bad you can't get closer. But what a great site to have as your house!

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