Reinhardstein Castle (Walloon: Rénarstène or Rénastène, French: Château de Reinhardstein, German: Burg Reinhardstein or Burg Metternich) is a 19th-century castle located in the Belgian High Fens, westwards from Robertville, a village belonging to the municipality of Waimes, in the province of Liège (East Cantons, Walloon Region in Belgium).
History
editIts current location, at the top of a rocky outcrop overhanging the Warche valley, was known to the Celts. They built a ditch, marks of which were found in the rock. Romans and Carolingians did not fail to notice the strategic value of the location on which they also settled. In 1354, Renaud of Waimes rebuilt a castle there on existing foundations, incorporating some elements of older fortifications.
By inheritance, the castle passed successively into the ownership of the Nesselrode, the Nassau and the Schwartzenberg families until eventually coming into the hands of the father of the famous Chancellor Metternich. After 1812, the castle was abandoned by the latter family until it was sold to a building materials contractor. He started dismantling the castle and selling its stones. The plunder stopped in 1815 after the Congress of Vienna that gave the castle's lands to the King of Prussia. Only then was a first restoration campaign started.
After a new period of neglect, the ruins of the castle were bought in 1965 by an enlightened amateur, Professor Jean Overloop (1915-1994). After launching an intelligent reconstruction based on old engravings dating from the 18th century, and on thorough studies of similar castles in the nearby Eifel, the professor refurnished the burg with his private collection and opened the castle to visitors.
Waterfall
editBelgium's highest waterfall, Reinhardstein Waterfall, runs nearby.[1]