Fortified castle of Bouillon

On top of the impressive rock (340 m x 40 m) , the castle of Bouillon dominates the city.

It is closely associated with Godfrey of Bouillon , leader of the First Crusade (1096-1099). The d'Ardenne-Verdun family was aware of the strategic value of this place and started construction in the Xth century .

The “Ducal Palace”, of which nothing now remains, consisted of a keep (donjon) with residential purpose and two associated towers. There are still underground passages from that era that are still in very good condition. The castle as it is seen today largely dates from the 16th century , although the fortifications made by Vauban (1633 – 1707) are very remarkable.

You enter the site via the tilted bridge and the drawbridge . These were placed there because the actual fortress is spread by three moats carved into the rock. You will see the following when you visit:

- The storeroom and the guard post from the Dutch period . Here one could cook 2500 portions per day.

- Vauban's Stairs .

- The primitive hall, the oldest and most characteristic hall .

- The Square of Honor , the former armory and the place where you can now attend the birds of prey shows

- ' The Arsenal ' where the vast attic served as a hospital after the Battle of Sedan. The Scriptura exhibition takes place here . Scriptura” shows the development of the learning process of writing from the Middle Ages to the present.

- Three-way loopholes and a double elevation. This system allowed defenders to shoot in six directions through just two openings.

- Godfrey of Bouillon room that is of course dedicated to the legendary knight.

- Of course also the top of the Austrian Tower . The highest point of the castle, from which one can discover the beautiful site of Bouillon.

- The so-called torture chamber where the armorers repaired and maintained the muskets, pistols and other weapons of that time.

- The prison, the dungeons, the gallows and the forgetting pit are also nearby.

Willem Vandenameele