Castle of Beavers

Only an impressive hill or motte remains of the old castle. The originally wooden structure on the motte hill was replaced by a stone keep during the 12th century. The fortification consisted of a bailey (the tower) and a lower courtyard (the farm) at the foot of the hill. Both were surrounded by two walls. The moats were 20 to 25 meters wide, and a drawbridge provided access to the buildings.

The motte-and-bailey castle was meant to assert the power of the Counts of Hainaut in the region. The fortress was inhabited until 1434, when the last lord of Bever died. The ravages of time further eroded everything until it fell into ruins. The military function has been replaced by peacefully grazing cows as of 2010. Nevertheless, the ground revealed some secrets. Archaeologist René Borremans led a soil survey here in 1964. Quite a few remnants such as pieces of painted wall, capitals, and cooking utensils were uncovered. A large portion of these artifacts or archaeological objects can be viewed in the regional museum in Halle.

Archeduc