Erpeldange Castle, located in the town of the same name in north-eastern Luxembourg, now houses the administrative offices for the Commune of Erpeldange, with its grounds open to the public
Erpeldange Castle, located in the town of the same name in north-eastern Luxembourg, now houses the administrative offices for the Commune of Erpeldange, with its grounds open to the public. It has a history dating back to the 13th century.
History
During the 12th century, there appears to have been a tower and wooden fort at the site of the present castle. In the 13th century, Frederic and Gerard d'Erpeldange, the first lords of Erpeldange, built a fortified stone castle guarding the valley at the point where the River Sûre meets the Alzette. The property passed successively into the hands of the Counts of Vianden, and the Brandenburg-Outscheid and von Moestroff-Kerpen families. Through marriage, the Gondersdorf family inherited the castle and in 1630 transformed it into a luxurious residence for their daughter. In 1677, it was inherited by Charles François baron de Failly de Sancy and Marie Marguerite de Giraldin. By that time, it was no longer of any military value as a quiet park had replaced its defences. Abandoned by the Prel family in the 19th century, it was used as a rectory. During the Second World War, the castle was damaged as a result of its use first by the Germans and then by American troops. The castle changed hands a number of times until it was acquired by the State in 1983. The commune's administrative offices have been housed there since 1987. The building still contains two fine Renaissance fireplaces.
The Chateau is not the typical castle built on a high point for good protection, it is on flat land, although surrounded by walls which probably did provide some protection. The other function of a Chateau was to serve as the residence and principal operating location of the Lord of the Manor.
The first Chateau, which probably was quite different than the present one, is believed to have been built by the Knights Frederich and Gerard d'Erpeldange, first seigneurs d'Erpeldange, vassaux de Compte de Vianden, in 1247-1252. about 1437 it passed by decree to Louis Brandenburg-Outscheid and the family von Moestroff-Kerpen. The latter added the name von Gondersdorf (source unknown) and came to be known as the Gondersdorf family.
The new Chateau was built in 1630 for a daughter of the Gondersdorf family. In 1677 the Chateau was passed in marriage to the Charles Francois baron de Failly de Sancy and Marie Marguerite de Giraldin. In 1691 it was again passed in marriage, this time to to Gerard baron du Prel de Chapois and Marie Madeleine de Failly daughter of the Charles Francois baron de Failly.
he Chateau from 1840 to 1882 was owned by the Church of Erpeldange and was occupied by the local priest Joseph Kalbersch until 1858. It also served part time as the parish church. The Chateau was passed In 1882 to the Dutch M. Willem Keun family of the Haye in exchange for the construction of a new Church, a Presbytery and a Cemetery. In 1903 the Chateau was owned by Michel Thilges of Wiltz. During the second World War the Chateau was occupied in turn by German and American troops and was badly damaged. In recent years the Chateau has been owned and occupied by the Bos family. When the Bos family purchased the property there was very little remaining but the walls. A governess for a deceased former owner, unhappy with her inheritance, had deliberately burned many of the furnishings and documents.
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