Castle of Larochette

The ruins of Fels Castle are situated on a spur of Luxembourg sandstone, about 150 m above the valley of the White Ernz, a tributary of the Sûre. The path to the rocky plateau leads through a wide forecourt protected by an earthen wall. The main castle, built of stone, is surrounded by a ring wall, which is largely destroyed today. A local natural trench separates the castle into two parts. At the end of the promontory, the remnants of several noble residences testify to the high quality of the display architecture.

After the castle was taken over by the Luxembourg government in 1979, restoration work immediately began in the historical area. Photogrammetric images taken after the purchase of the castle could be added to the ongoing archaeological excavations. The lords of Fels first appear in texts at the end of the 12th century, particularly as standards bearers of the House of Luxembourg.

By the end of the 14th century, there were 5 large families within the castle. The construction of the House of Homburg took place around 1350, after the marriage of the brothers Friederich and Konrad, lords of Homburg, to the sisters Irmgard and Mathilde of Fels. The House of Kriechingen was built at the end of 1385. By the end of the 16th century, the castle was destroyed by fire and has since been in a state of ruin. The House of Kriechingen, a work of the highest quality, was restored between 1983 and 1987. The House of Homburg was consolidated and restored between 1987 and 1988. Simultaneously with this restoration and consolidation work, extensive excavation activities were carried out across the entire castle grounds. The results obtained allow us to complete our knowledge of the building history.

It is believed that the Lords of Larochette are descended from the House of Ouren. They were important as loyal vassals of the Count of Luxembourg since the 13th century. The emperor of Germany, Wenceslas, even granted the Lords of Fels the right to mint coins in 1402.

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