Ruins du Château d'Amblève - Aywaille

The Château d'Emblève is incorrectly called Château d'Amblève . The site is located in the town of Aywaille on the town and/or hamlet of Emblève. On the other hand, the river is correctly spelled Amblève.

In fact there are two castles of Emblève , the current one is the home of the owners and is located on the banks of the Amblève , the ruins are located a little further downstream on the top of a large cliff overlooking the river.

This rock is the highest in the Amblève Valley and one of the largest in the country . It supports the ruins of the Château d'Emblève and/or Neufchasteau-sur-Emblève.

In 855 there was already talk of a castle, but it was destroyed by the Normans. It is also called Castle of the four native children. According to the legend of the Fils Aymon, the four brothers - Aymon, Renaud, Guiscard and Richard - stayed in the castle after seeking refuge after a conflict with Charlemagne. The legend describes several events in which the brothers used the castle as a safe haven against persecution by Charlemagne and his troops. These events take place during the reign of Charlemagne in the 8th century.

The castle was built in the 10th century. This imposing medieval fortress was the seat of Sprimont's justice and the residence of its lords. It was destroyed at the end of the 16th century. The building also belonged to the de la Marcks and served as a hiding place for the man nicknamed “the boar of the Ardennes” .

The ruin consists of a stone keep built on the most impregnable part of the rocky ridge. A courtyard and service quarters extended to the north. Several buildings, now almost completely destroyed, and a large courtyard to the east were added later.
Under the Dukes of Burgundy, repairs were needed and the fortress was significantly enlarged and protected. Buildings were erected to house the garrisons . A three-storey gate and a new drawbridge were built. This guardhouse is still partially standing on the east side of the fort.

In 1578 Farnese ordered the immediate demolition of Neufchasteau . After the major defenses were taken down, the region's inhabitants continued the destruction by using it as building material.

Although the ruins are private property and belong to the lower castle d'emblève, there is no indication that this site may not be entered. The disadvantage of this is that further decay occurs.

Willem Vandenameele