Beaufort Castle

Beaufort Castle is located in the town of Beaufort, in eastern Luxembourg. It stands in a valley about 35 meters below the village center, near the address 24 Rue du Château. The castle’s origins trace back to the 11th century, when a small square fortress was built on a large rock overlooking the valley. This early stronghold was protected by a moat and a secondary wall, designed to guard the site’s strategic position.

The first recorded lord of Beaufort Castle was Wauthier de Wiltz et Beaufort, mentioned in 1192. During the 12th century, the castle underwent its first expansions, including the addition of a keep and the relocation and enlargement of the main gate. In 1348, ownership passed to the House of Orley through the marriage of Adelaide of Beaufort to William of Orley. The Orley family extended the castle further down the valley, enhancing its defensive and residential functions.

In 1477, Emperor Maximilian I confiscated the castle from Johann von Orley-Beaufort due to a breach of trust. The property was then granted to Johann Bayer von Boppard. By 1539, Bernard von Velbrück acquired Beaufort Castle through marriage and added a Renaissance wing atop the medieval walls, reflecting changing architectural tastes and the castle’s evolving role.

The castle later passed to Gaspard de Heu, a supporter of the Dutch resistance and the House of Orange. He inherited the property through Velbrück’s granddaughter but was executed for heresy and treason in 1593. Following this, Philip II of Spain confiscated the castle and gave it to Peter Ernst Graf von Mansfeld, the governor of Luxembourg.

Throughout the 17th century, Beaufort Castle changed hands several times. Henri de Chalon and Gaspard du Bost-Moulin owned it but sold the property due to financial difficulties caused by the Thirty Years War. In 1639, Johann Baron von Beck purchased the castle and began constructing a Renaissance château in 1643. This new residence was completed in 1649 by his son after Johann’s death.

By the early 19th century, Beaufort Castle was abandoned and fell into ruin. Parts of the structure were used as a quarry. In 1850, the site was declared a national monument. Restoration efforts began in 1893 under Henri Even and continued in 1928 with Edmond Linkels, who cleared rubble and made the medieval ruins accessible. Since 1981, the State of Luxembourg has owned the castle. In July 2021, a large supporting wall below the ruins collapsed, but no injuries occurred.