Luxembourg · Partial ruin

Larochette Castle

Larochette Castle is a medieval castle complex sited on a limestone promontory above the town of Larochette in central Luxembourg. Originally built from the 11th century, the fortified site developed several separate manor houses and defensive walls before being largely destroyed by fire at the end of the 16th century. The ruins and some restored manors are today owned by the State of Luxembourg and are open to visitors seasonally.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1100

Its prime

1580

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1580

What Larochette Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on a high limestone promontory, the castle reads as a long horizontal complex of pale-beige stone curtain walls and ruined residential blocks. A tall rectangular residential tower with a steep slate roof and external stair anchors one end; in the centre are the broken façades of large manor houses with vertical window openings and gabled rooflines. Low battlemented walls run along the cliff edge above sheer rock faces, and a deep ditch splits the site into two defended parts.

Its story

The story of Larochette Castle.

Larochette Castle stands high above the town of Larochette in central Luxembourg. The earliest references to the castle date from the end of the 11th century and the 12th, when the lords of Larochette — the Van der Feltz — served as flag bearers for the counts of Luxembourg.

The family proliferated, leading to the construction of five stately houses separate from the main structure. The castle was destroyed by fire at the end of the 16th century; since its acquisition by the State of Luxembourg in 1979 some restoration work has been undertaken, and the site is open to visitors seasonally.

Step inside

10 places to explore in 1580.

The record describes 10 distinct spots at Larochette Castle — including 3 interiors: créhange manor central court and well (interior), créhange manor interior chamber, homburg manor interior. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach across the farmyard and fortified earthworksCliff-top curtain walls and battlementsMain residential tower (exterior) with external stairCréhange Manor central court and well (interior)Créhange Manor interior chamberHomburg Manor interiorVerlorenkost watchtower on the south sideOverlook across the deep ditch dividing the castleCluster of the five stately manor houses at the promontory's far endPromontory viewpoint down to the White Ernz valley

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