Sohier Castle

Isolated to the north of the village, the Sohier castle thrives in a remarkable wooded park. Based on what are likely very old foundations, the castle is organized around an inner courtyard bordered by four wings of two levels made of limestone rubble. Three towers punctuate the whole structure. Two cylindrical towers, three levels high with conical roofs, echo a powerful square tower of four levels, topped by a tall octagonal spire. Transformed from a dungeon in 1616, this imposing tower marks the highest point of the castle. Once surrounded by moats, the castle lost its defensive character due to radical changes made in 1866, giving it the appearance of a pleasure castle. Further modifications were made during the 20th century. To the north, the large farm as well as the outbuildings closing off the courtyard to the south were razed to make way for the park in 1926. After the Second World War, the square tower was stripped of its neo-Gothic decor to take on its current look. Some of the castle's masonry is covered in ivy. In contrast to the color of the limestone, this vegetative curtain serves as a transition to the castle's park. Richly planted, the park features about fifteen remarkable trees listed in Belgium's dendrological inventory, among which three are major specimens. Such a concentration of remarkable species in a relatively small area is exceptional.

Val et Oli