La Follie Castle, Medieval castle in Écaussinnes, Belgium
La Follie is a castle in Écaussinnes featuring four circular towers connected by three-meter-thick walls arranged in a quadrilateral layout. Extensive vaulted cellars extend beneath the structure, revealing the fortress's fortified design.
The fortress was built in the 14th century, when Englebert d'Enghien made it his residence with defensive moats surrounding the property. Archaeological digs in 1928 uncovered evidence of these medieval defensive features.
The chapel was dedicated in 1528 and features an octagonal design with Gothic windows and Renaissance decorative details. Visitors can see how the family's religious life was expressed through the building's careful architectural choices.
The castle is privately owned by the de Lichtervelde family and cannot be visited freely by the public. Visits are available only for organized groups of 20 to 40 people by prior arrangement.
The underground chambers preserve remains of the original corner towers and an ancient fireplace, showing that these spaces functioned as living quarters during the 14th century. This discovery reveals how the nobility actually lived in medieval times.
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