Samson Fort, Medieval fortress near Andenne, Belgium

Samson Fort is a ruined fort on a limestone spur above the Samson valley, between Namur and Andenne. Its three enclosures climbed the slope: a lower ward entered from Thon, a middle bailey, and an upper ward with the castellan's lodging and defence towers. Only a stretch of the south wall and the base of the south-east round turret survive at the top, with the Lapidon Tower lower on the Samson side.

The fort's defensive structures trace back to the 4th century, with archaeological finds revealing Roman substructures and a Merovingian burial site in the area. These layers show a long history of settlement at this strategic location.

The fort guarded the border between the County of Namur and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. From Huy, downstream on the Meuse, raids were launched into this border zone: in 1466 the farmers watched from the fort as Huy's militia burned their harvest. The site is also linked by tradition to Auberon, son of Clodion the Hairy, named as its founder.

Access to the fort requires walking uphill from the valley floor along paths that lead to the upper defensive areas. Visitors should be prepared for steep terrain and varying elevation changes throughout the site.

The Lapidon Tower, a fairly well-preserved round tower flanking the cliff above the Samson, still stands below and west of the summit ruins and housed the castle well. The summit itself keeps only a stretch of the south wall and the base of the round turret at the south-east corner of the third enclosure. The Samson rocks were listed as classified heritage on 12 May 1944.