Clan Rising
Ansembourg Castle today

Luxembourg · Still standing

Ansembourg Castle

Ansembourg Old Castle is a medieval hilltop castle above the village of Ansembourg in central Luxembourg. First recorded in 1135, its core fortifications date to the 12th–14th centuries and it remains a privately occupied residence.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1135

Its prime

1400

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1400

What Ansembourg Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on a wooded hill, the castle presents two cylindrical stone towers at either end of a compact range of connected buildings. The towers are built of warm beige-grey rubble with small slit windows and crenellated tops. Between them the domestic range has steep, dark slate roofs, several chimney stacks and small rectangular windows; a lower chapel-like block with a pyramidal roof abuts the curtain wall. Retaining walls descend the slope beneath the buildings.

Its story

The story of Ansembourg Castle.

Ansembourg Old Castle, one of the castles of Luxembourg's Valley of the Seven Castles, is first mentioned in 1135, when the lord of the castle was Hubert d'Ansembourg. At the beginning of the 14th century the south-western tower gate and the northern keep appear to have been built by Jofroit d'Ansembourg.

High above the little village of Ansembourg, the medieval castle remains the private residence of the current Count and Countess, Gaston-Gaëtan Count de Marchant et d'Ansembourg moved in after the death of his father. In 2008 the Luxembourg government acquired the family library of around 6,000 books; in 2011 the Count opened a seven-room bed and breakfast in one of the surrounding buildings, though the castle itself is closed to visitors and only the gardens open on some days.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1400.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Ansembourg Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the valley (exterior)South-western tower gate (exterior)Northern keep (exterior / battlement walk)Chapel-like block with pyramidal roof (exterior)Main residential range façade (exterior)Inner bailey / courtyard (exterior)

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Recreate Ansembourg Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1400, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Ansembourg Castle.

The families that held Ansembourg Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Ansembourg

    The lords of Ansembourg held the castle from its first mention in 1135 under Hubert d'Ansembourg; Jofroit d'Ansembourg built the tower gate and keep in the early 14th century.

  • de Marchant et d'Ansembourg

    Private residence of the Counts de Marchant et d'Ansembourg, who live in the castle today.

Questions about Ansembourg Castle

What is the history of Ansembourg Castle?

Ansembourg Castle was first recorded in 1135 and its fortifications were probably built in the middle of the 12th century. The south-western tower gate and northern keep were added at the beginning of the 14th century by Jofroit d’Ansembourg. It later became a residential complex, and French troops damaged it in 1683; repairs followed under the Bidart and Marchant et d’Ansembourg families.

Who owns Ansembourg Castle now?

Ansembourg Castle is owned by Gaston-Gaëtan Count de Marchant et d’Ansembourg. The castle remains a private residence, and he moved into the property after the death of his father. The family library, containing around 6,000 books, was acquired by the Luxembourg government in 2008.

Does anyone live in Ansembourg Castle now?

Yes, Ansembourg Castle is still lived in. Gaston-Gaëtan Count de Marchant et d’Ansembourg and the Countess live there as their private residence. A seven-room bed and breakfast operates in one of the surrounding buildings, but the castle itself remains a private home.

Where is Ansembourg Castle?

Ansembourg Castle is above the village of Ansembourg in central Luxembourg, within the municipality of Helperknapp. It stands high above the village on a wooded sandstone rock, about 80 metres above the river. The castle belongs to the group of castles in the Valley of the Seven Castles.

When was Ansembourg Castle built?

Ansembourg Castle was first raised in 1135, although its main fortifications date from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The property is first mentioned in 1135 under Hubert d’Ansembourg, while the south-western tower gate and northern keep appear to have been built at the beginning of the 14th century.

Was Ansembourg Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Yes, Ansembourg Castle was attacked in 1683 by French troops commanded by Marshal de Boufflers. The castle was damaged during the assault. Repairs were later carried out by the Bidart and Marchant et d’Ansembourg families.

Which family or clan held Ansembourg Castle?

The lords of Ansembourg held Ansembourg Castle from its first mention in 1135, under Hubert d’Ansembourg. Jofroit d’Ansembourg built the south-western tower gate and northern keep in the early 14th century. The Counts de Marchant et d’Ansembourg live in the castle today.

What did Ansembourg Castle look like in its prime?

At its prime, Ansembourg Castle had two cylindrical stone towers linked by a compact range of buildings. Warm beige-grey rubble walls, slit windows and crenellated tower tops defined the exterior, while steep dark slate roofs and chimney stacks covered the residential range. A lower chapel-like block with a pyramidal roof stood beside the curtain wall, above retaining walls descending the slope.

Is Ansembourg Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Ansembourg Castle is intact and still standing rather than a ruin. Its fortifications date from the 12th to the 14th centuries, and the complex was later repaired after damage by French troops in 1683. The castle has remained substantially unchanged since the time of Jakob II de Raville-Ansembourg, apart from its earlier conversion into a residential complex.

Can you visit Ansembourg Castle?

Ansembourg Castle is not open to visitors because it is a private residence. The gardens may be visited on some days. A seven-room bed and breakfast operates in one of the surrounding buildings, but this does not make the castle itself publicly accessible.

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