Solre-sur-Sambre Castle

Solre-sur-Sambre Castle is a fortified structure from the late 13th century featuring a rectangular keep transformed into a gate tower, with circular towers positioned at each corner. Stone walls and water-filled moats create a complete defensive perimeter around the complex.

Built in the late 13th century in a border region marked by territorial disputes, the fortress was first held by the Barbençon family and later passed to the Princes de Merode. The transition reflected changing power dynamics in the Low Countries during the medieval and early modern periods.

The fortress displays architectural layers from different eras: its medieval core, Renaissance conical towers, and Burgundian-period modifications tell the story of changing tastes and building practices. Walking around the perimeter, you can see how each generation left its mark on the stone.

The site sits where the Thure and Sambre rivers meet, but it remains private property with no public access allowed inside. The best views come from nearby paths along the river banks that let you see the exterior walls and towers clearly.

The fortress has relied on fireplaces for heating throughout its entire existence, with no central heating system ever installed. This historic approach to warmth remains unchanged to this day.