Jehay Castle

Jehay Castle in Amay, Belgium began as a medieval seigneurial estate, with origins possibly reaching back to the 12th century and clearer documentary presence from the 15th century onward. Its long evolution spans late medieval lordship and later modern remodelling, and the site became a locally important seat of seigneurial power and burial for successive owning families. Major construction phases in the 16th and 19th centuries shaped the château’s present appearance.

In 1433 the land of Jehay was confiscated from Wathieu Datin, and the estate then passed through the families Goeswin de Beyne, de Thuin and de Sart by succession. A member of the de Sart line took ownership in 1498, confirmed in 1506. Jean Helman de Sart inherited the domain in 1537 and carried out rebuilding and enlargement work, with a major expansion around 1550.

Jean Helman de Sart’s daughter married into the Merode family, which held the property until 1720. In December of that year Joachim Joseph de Merode sold the seigneurie, titles and rights to Lambert van den Steen. The van den Steen family remained proprietors for roughly 280 years, maintaining the estate through several transformations.

During the 19th century the château underwent extensive alteration under the direction of the architect to King Leopold II; these interventions removed many ancillary buildings and introduced a principal staircase and an entrance gallery, producing much of the château’s modern external form. In the early 20th century the domain was let to the de Liedekerke family; Pierre de Liedekerke de Pailhe served locally as mayor from 1903 to 1926 and represented the area until 1936.

From 1942 until 1950 the château was placed at the disposal of the Belgian national railway company and used as a holiday home for children of Flemish railway workers. In 1950 Count Guy van den Steen de Jehay inherited or regained the property and, with his wife Lady Moyra Butler, lived on the estate, redesigned its gardens in the mid-20th century and contributed bronze sculpture to the park. In 1978 he sold the château and part of its collection to the Province of Liège under a life-tenancy arrangement, reserving the right to remain and keeping part of the collection. The province became full owner from 1 January 2000.

Jehay Castle and its park are classified as cultural heritage of Wallonia and as exceptional heritage of that region. Archaeological campaigns were carried out at the château in 2003–2004. A multi-year restoration programme followed, the exterior being fully renovated while interior works continue; the former outer courtyard and its buildings were restored with that work completed in 2006. The estate and park continue to be maintained and used for cultural events, while access to the château’s interior remains limited.