Castle of Sombreffe

The castle of Sombreffe is a strong castle of Belgian plain located in Walloon region in the Province of Namur. Its origin goes back to the XIIIe century. It concerns the major Patrimoine of Wallonia

The castle is in the beginning, a fortress of the line of defense of Duchy of the Brabant (like Corroy-the-Castle, Gembloux, Opprebais and Walhain). With the XIIIe century, it was a simple keep pertaining to the lords D' Orbais. In the current of the same century, this family surrounded it by an enclosure out of not installed hardcores. Later, a second sandstone the northern hardcore enclosure and keep reinforced the defensive system of the castle.

In 1446, the castle passes by marriage to the family Vernembourg, and this one it keep until in 1543. It is then the property of the families Culembourg, Lalaing, Ligne, Oignies and finally Lannoy.

At the end of the XVIe century, the upper part of the central keep where the residence seigneuriale was located is the prey of a fire but is rebuilt out of bricks at the beginning of the next century.

With the XVIIIe century, a new home for the lord of the manor is built beside the central keep. The agricultural buildings will come to associate with the castle XIXe century.

It is thanks to this last less warlike vocation, than the castle could reach us without too much damage and that the happy current owners can make revive this splendid medieval architectural unit.

See too

List of Belgian castles

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