Poilvache Castle, Medieval castle ruins on limestone cliffs in Yvoir, Belgium
Poilvache Castle comprises fortress ruins that stretch more than 300 meters along a rocky outcrop above the Meuse River on limestone cliffs. The visible walls and defensive structures date from the medieval period and show how fortifications were built to guard the territory.
The fortress was built in 1214 to control Luxembourg territories and held strategic importance for centuries. Forces from Liege and Dinant destroyed it in 1430, ending its role in regional power struggles.
The fortress shaped regional trade through its own mint, which produced coins that showed its economic reach. Visitors today can still sense this former importance when walking through the ruins.
Visitors reach the ruins via a walking trail of about 3 kilometers from Houx village, marked with red and blue signs along the limestone hillside. The path climbs gradually, so wear sturdy shoes, especially in wet conditions.
During the final siege of the fortress, soldiers used cow hides as disguises to enter the stronghold undetected. This unexpected tactic led to its capture and left a strange footnote in the region's military history.
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