Schloss Lontzen, Protected castle in Lontzen, Belgium
Schloss Lontzen is a square stone castle with a mansard roof and four corner chimneys, surrounded by a water-filled moat and accessed by a drawbridge. A small chapel on the western side and wrought-iron railings define its distinctive appearance.
The castle originated as a residential tower in the 13th century but was destroyed in 1288 during the War of Limburg Succession. Multiple reconstructions followed over the centuries, eventually creating the structure visible today.
The entrance displays the Grand'Ry family coat of arms above a semicircular arch, while the southern side bears heraldic symbols linked to the Harscamp and Rolshausen families. These marks reveal the families who shaped the castle through different periods.
The castle remains in private ownership, so visitors can only view its exterior features including the moat, drawbridge, and wrought-iron railings. Photography from outside and walking around the perimeter offer good ways to appreciate its architecture.
Two round towers from the original outer enclosure still stand, with one positioned near the entrance and another overhanging the decorated southern portal. These surviving remnants reveal how the medieval fortress was once fortified.
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