Erpeldange Castle
Encyclopedia
Erpeldange Castle located in the town of the same name in north-eastern Luxembourg
, now houses the administrative offices for the Commune of Erpeldange
. It has a history dating from the 13th century.
meets the Alzette
. The property passed successively into to the hands of the Counts of Vianden
, and the Brandenburg-Outscheid and von Moestroff-Kerpen families. Through marriage, the Gondersdorf family inherited the castle and in 1630 transformed it into a luxurious residence for their daughter. In 1677, it was inherited by Charles François baron de Failly de Sancy and Marie Marguerite de Giraldin. By that time, it was no longer of any military value as a quiet park has replaced its defences. Abandoned by the Prel family in the 19th century, it was used as a rectory. During the Second World War
, the castle was damaged as a result of its use first by the Germans and then by American troops. The castle changed hands a number of times until it was acquired by the State in 1983. The commune's administratiive offices have been housed there since 1987. The building still contains two fine Renaissance
fireplaces.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, now houses the administrative offices for the Commune of Erpeldange
Erpeldange
Erpeldange is a commune and small town in north-eastern Luxembourg. It lies along the river Sauer, between Ettelbruck and Diekirch. It is part of the canton of Diekirch, which is part of the district of Diekirch....
. It has a history dating from the 13th century.
History
Already in the 12th century, there appears to have been a tower and a wooden fort on the site of the present castle. In the 13th century, Frederic and Gerard d'Erpeldange, the first lords of Erpeldange, built a fortified stone castle guarding the valley at the point where the River SûreSauer
The Sauer or Sûre is a river in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. A left tributary of the river Moselle, its total length is 173 km....
meets the Alzette
Alzette
The Alzette is a river with a length of 73 kilometers in France and Luxembourg. It is a right tributary of the Sauer.It rises in Thil near the town Villerupt in the Meurthe-et-Moselle département, France. It crosses the border with Luxembourg after a few kilometres. In Lameschmillen it is joined...
. The property passed successively into to the hands of the Counts of Vianden
Counts of Vianden
The Counts of Vianden, ancestors of the House of Orange-Nassau, were associated with the castle of Vianden .-House of Sponheim:* Bertolph count of Vianden * Frederic I of Vianden...
, and the Brandenburg-Outscheid and von Moestroff-Kerpen families. Through marriage, the Gondersdorf family inherited the castle and in 1630 transformed it into a luxurious residence for their daughter. In 1677, it was inherited by Charles François baron de Failly de Sancy and Marie Marguerite de Giraldin. By that time, it was no longer of any military value as a quiet park has replaced its defences. Abandoned by the Prel family in the 19th century, it was used as a rectory. During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the castle was damaged as a result of its use first by the Germans and then by American troops. The castle changed hands a number of times until it was acquired by the State in 1983. The commune's administratiive offices have been housed there since 1987. The building still contains two fine Renaissance
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
fireplaces.