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A city in southeastern Belgium, on the Semois River, in the Ardennes, in the province of Luxembourg. Due to its location, it is called the pearl of the Semois valley. What invariably attracts crowds of tourists to this area is undoubtedly the dark, medieval castle. Although the city was first mentioned in 988, there is no doubt that Bouillon existed centuries before that date.
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The Dukes of the House of Ardenne (Godfryd was the fifth and last in this line) owned the castle until 1096 when Godfryd of Bouillon sold his entire principality to Bishop Liege Otbert. Godfryd of Bouillon was a member of the First Crusade. He won Jerusalem and the title of Protector of the Holy Sepulcher. He was denied the right to wear the royal crown and died in the Holy Land in 1100.
Bouillon remained in the possession of the Prince-Bishop of Liege for nearly six centuries. At the beginning of the 16th century, he had to share power with the wealthy La Marc family. In 1678 the army of the king of France, Louis XIV, after a twenty-day siege, captured the castle. The city, castle and principality were handed over to the La Tour d'Averagne family. 26 October 1795 Bouillon was incorporated into the French Republic. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, under the II Treaty of Paris, Bouillon was annexed to the Netherlands, and after Belgium gained independence in 1830, it became part of the newly formed Belgian state.
Castle bouillon
The most wonderful and at the same time the most recognizable showcase of Bouillon. It is a witness of history that has existed in this place for over a thousand years. Over the centuries, it changed its owners, and the most famous one was Godfryd of Bouillon, a participant in the first crusade to the Holy Land. Due to the lack of historical documents, it is difficult to determine the exact date of the castle's construction today. What is certain is that it was built to protect the north-south passage between lower and upper Lorraine.
This magnificent feudal castle is an example of a building consisting of several independent parts that could defend themselves on their own, but their goal was the idea of common defense. It is part of the canon of military architecture, which says that each subsequent element of a defensive structure must be higher than the preceding one. There are many loopholes in the wall, one above the other. This made it possible to fire in different directions.
The greatest changes in the castle were made by Vauban who came here by order of King Louis XIV. This great architect noticed the great defensive capabilities of the castle. There are three sections here. The first two are the smallest. Additionally, they were reinforced with a defensive wall filled with arrowslits. The last, southern section is the largest and most powerful. It was also strengthened by Vauban, who ordered the construction of defensive walls filled with arrowslits. They allowed fire only in three directions: 45 degrees to the left, straight ahead and 45 degrees to the right. However, they provided incredible protection for the defenders of the castle. Also the semicircular tower in this wall is the work of Vauban. He also created a circular gunpowder tower with a cannon on the roof.
The highest point of the castle is the Austrian tower, converted into an artillery tower by the prince-bishop of Liege George of Austria in 1551. It had arrowslits on each side. Originally, the Austrian tower was a shelter for shooters from enemy fire. Below the Austrian tower there were two cannon batteries that could fire the entire valley between them.
In the nineteenth century, when the Dutch ruled here, they made a few changes. They demolished the main tower, the chapel and the manager's house, and added a few barracks and an arsenal. Bouillon Castle since the mid-19th century started fall into disrepair. Fortunately, it has become a tourist attraction and can be admired today for a small fee. The castle is entered through three gate-bridges, connecting three independent parts of the castle.
Inside the castle are available, among others, dungeons where we can see tools of torture, as well as weapons and costumes of the castle defenders. A great attraction is the Godfryd Hall, carved in the rock. In its floor there is a wooden cross with sculptures depicting the history of the castle. In summer, in the courtyard, you can see the breeding of birds of the local falconer (eagles, hawks, falcons and African vultures).
Address:
Château Fort
Esplanade Godefroid 1 6830 Bouillon |
Opening hours:
Holidays: 10.00-18.30,
Last admission 45 minutes before closing. |
Ticket price:
7 euros
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After visiting the castle, it is worth going to Ducal Museum. It is located on the same hill as the castle. Various items related to Godfrid's crusade are gathered here in two adjacent buildings. There are also exhibitions devoted to folklore and the history of the city and the region.
Address:
Musée Ducal 1-3 Rue du Petit, 6830 Bouillon
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Opening hours:
monday-sunday: 10.00-18.00
from 1 october: 10.00-17.00 |
Ticket price
Adults: 4 Euro
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Those interested in the history of Godfryd of Bouillon should definitely visit the historic center located in the old monastery Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon. Particularly noteworthy is the audiovisual show that takes visitors a thousand years back, to the times of the First Crusade to Jerusalem, led by Godfryd of Bouillon.
Address:
Quai des Saulx 14
6830 Bouillon |
Opening hours:
july-august: 10.00-18.00
rest of the year: info on the museum's website |
Ticket price:
5,5 euros
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Additional information:
Bouillon is not only a centuries-old history, but also a paradise for nature and sports fans. For them, Semois Kayakas organizes canoeing trips on the Semois River. You can choose between the 3-hour Bouillon-Poupehan (15 km) or the 1-hour Poupehan-Frahan-sur Semois (5 km).
The purchase of the city card, for the price of 11 Euro, allows you to enter the castle, Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon, and the Ducal museum.
The purchase of the city card, for the price of 11 Euro, allows you to enter the castle, Archéoscope Godefroid de Bouillon, and the Ducal museum.