Hierges Castle

Hierges Castle, locally known as Château de Hierges, lies in a village with the same name, in the Ardennes department in France.

Hierges Castle was built on the site of an earlier fortification dating back to the 9th century. The castle itself was first mentioned in the 11th century. During the 12th century the castle was home to Manassès de Hierges, who won fame as a constable of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the Second Crusade. During the 13th century the castle was destroyed by fire but it was rebuilt with its present layout.

The castle was partly destroyed in 1555 by the Duke of Nevers and rebuilt in 1564 for Gilles de Berlaim, called "Monsieur de Hierges", who made this castle a princely residence in the style of the Mosan Renaissance.

The country of Hierges was then, one of the most important ones of Liège, situated between the Sambre and Meuse rivers. It was partly annexed to France in 1772-74. The castle was set on fire in November 1793 by Revolutionary troops.

At present there is a private residence in the buildings on the courtyard. The castle can be visited but was closed when I was there. It can be seen from the road from Dinant (Belgium) to Charleville-Mézières and it is situated just a few hundred meters from the France-Belgium border.

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