Chimay Castle (French: Château de Chimay) is a château in Chimay, Hainaut, Belgium. The castle has been owned by the Prince of Chimay and his ancestors for centuries, and it is open to the public for tours during part of the year. Although the castle was significantly damaged by a fire in 1935, the structure was subsequently rebuilt, and renovations continue under the current generation of the princely family.

History
Chimay Castle, the home of the Princes of Chimay for many generations, is an ancient stronghold, which some documents suggest may be as old as the year 1000. Through the years, the medieval bastion became a fortress. In the 15th century, the castle was altered: five new towers were linked by corridors to the keep, to increase its defensive potential. Over the centuries, the castle was damaged by many wars, looters and pillagers. Finally, in 1935, a fire destroyed much of what was left, including many irreplaceable works of art. Despite the damage, the princely family decided to rebuild the structure, and repairs have continued since that time.

Initially, writings relate the presence of the town of Chimay in the 11th century, though the settlement may have existed already in the 9th century. An act dating from 1065 and 1070 reveals the presence of Gauthier de Chimay. The strategic position of crossing the Eau Blanche river is a logical explanation for the establishment of an important family on the promontory.

The history of the castle of Chimay is rather vague during the Middle Ages; it seems that the Chimay branch became extinct in 1226. The land then passed to the control of the Counts of Soissons, who held it until 1317, when the castle of Chimay was owned by the Count of Hainaut, then of Blois. Around 1445, it was bought by Jean II de Croÿ from Philip the Good.

Jean II de Croÿ was exiled by Charles the Bold in 1465 and pardoned by him in 1473, leaving descendants of the line of Croÿ to lead the new county of Chimay. The place was at the height of its power in the 15th century: in 1486, Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, erected Chimay into a principality. Unfortunately, waves of invading Austrian and French troops successively undermined the citadel.

Chimay Castle


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Boussu Castle, locally known as Château de Boussu, lies in a park in the town of the same name, in the province of Hainaut in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

The site of Boussu Castle has been occupied since Gallo-Roman times. The first castle was built here during the 10th century. It belonged to the Fontaine family and went to the Hénin-Liétard family through marriage.

In 1402 the castle was besieged by the Lord of Chaudmont, a sworn enemy of the Lords of Boussu. After a couple of days the castle was taken, plundered and partly burned down. In 1478 this first castle was finally destroyed as a result of the wars between France and the Duchy of Burgundy.

In 1540 Jean de Hénin-Liétard, the first Count of Boussu, ordered the building of a new Boussu Castle, by the architect Jacques du Broeucq. In 1545 Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, visited his friend Jean de Hénin-Liétard to admire his new castle. He recieved a very sumptuous welcome and, although the castle was still under construction, decided to stay the night. In 1554 Charles V visited the castle again and again recieved a sumptuous welcome, which gave rise to the legend that at the end of his visit, the Count of Boussu burned down his own castle because 'after the visit of such a noble person, no one was more worthy to enter it'...

Boussu Castle was also visited by Phillip II of Spain in 1549 and 1558, by Louis XIV of France who celebrated his birthday here in 1655 and by William III of England in 1676. During following wars the castle suffered so much damage that by 1810 it was completely ruined. The castle ruin was then torn down with exception of the gate building which was restored by Count Maurice de Caraman.

During World War II the gate building was occupied by the Luftwaffe who used it as an ammunition depot. They blew up the depot in September 1944.

Since 2010 the ruin of the gate building was restored and now houses a small museum. It is situated in a municipal park. Of the castle itself only the built up foundation of the northeast tower and cellars remain. In the park area south of the castle there is a large area with all kinds of dressed stones, coming from the the old castle. There is also a ruined, early 20th century, house there.

castles.nl/boussu2-castle

Boussu Castle


Before the castle existed, there was an old farm on the site called 'Du Maugré' The name meant 'cursed place' In 1465 the farm belonged to Jehan de Henry van Nimes.

In the 17th century the farm was sold to the Martin family. In 1745 Michel Licot, iron master of Vireux, bought the farm and the surrounding land.

Between 1864 and 1890 the farm was transformed into a castle, under the direction of August Licot, their grandson, because the Licot family made a fortune with the iron ore business. Later came the decoration of a park and a pond was added.

For 175 years the family Licot keeps making a fortune and owned the castle but the first world war ruins the family and makes an end to this. During the First World War the castle served as quarters for the German commanders. Because of this, it was never completely destroyed.

In 1923 the municipality bought the domain. In 1964 the castle underwent a restoration in Renaissance style. The Licot Castle as it is today, on the edges of the Eau Noire, was completed in 1977. After the merger of eight villages it is is now in use by the municipal administration of Viroinval.

https://www.amazingbelgium.be/2018/05/the-castle-of-licot.html

Kasteel Licot

The Counts of Hamal, the lords of the manor between 1567 and 1852, completely restructured the old fortress and farmhouse of medieval origin, reducing the defensive features to their foundations.

To the west, the tower and chateau facade have regular openings, consistent with the facade overlooking the courtyard, which has been completely reorganized in the Classical style. This 'modern' building is flanked by the so-called Attila tower, whose onion dome is a local landmark, whilst its large windows offer new observation posts.

In the second half of the 19th century, work to remove the defensive features continued: the two courtyards were brought together to form a huge terrace opening onto the valley when the outbuildings and ramparts had been levelled. The underlying garden, ring of trees dividing the ramparts and large orchard at the bottom of the valley extend the grounds beyond the château walls.

Although the château isn't open to the public, you can see it from various angles from the village and viewpoints on both sides of the Viroin.


http://www.beauxvillages.be/discover/landmarks-heritage/chateau-des-comtes-de-hamal-private-property.htm?lng=en