Turelbach

Turelbach is situated in the settlement of Turelbaach within the municipality of Groussbus-Wal, Luxembourg. Its origins lie not in ancient or medieval times but in the 20th century, built entirely under the direction of a private individual rather than by a traditional civilization or ruling power.

The site’s development began in 1964 when Pol Gilson, then municipal secretary of Mäerzeg, obtained permission to construct a wooden weekend retreat. Accompanying this chalet was a project to restore a former pond, which was reshaped into an artificial island where the building stood. This initial phase marked the modest beginnings of the site, rooted in personal leisure rather than fortification or administration.

In 1973, the wooden structure was lost to fire. Rather than abandoning the site, Gilson embarked on an ambitious new undertaking: he began designing and building a far larger residence with the appearance and elements of a castle. Over the next 25 years, from 1973 into the early 2000s, he personally expanded the complex multiple times. This gradual process transformed the modest chalet location into a castle-like ensemble that featured stone towers, bridges, gates, and landscaped grounds.

By the turn of the millennium, the property had developed into a notable estate, with a park adorned by fountains and sculptures. Throughout this period, Gilson also hosted a large annual celebration at the castle, drawing hundreds of guests. After his death in 2007, the property was overseen by his widow, Annie Gilson, who eventually sold most of it to the municipality of Mäerzeg in 2020, securing the site’s future preservation. On September 2, 2022, the building and its surroundings received official recognition as a national cultural heritage site of Luxembourg.