Larochette Castle

History

The ruins of Larochette castle can be seen today on a rocky outcrop (‘Elsebeth’ plateau) made up of Luxembourg sandstone 50 metres above the small town of Larochette. Its current appearance is largely due to the destruction of the castle by fire around 1565.

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As far as its history is concerned, it should be noted that the first refuge was built on this site in the 8th century. The first ashlar castle dates from the 12th century. It was surrounded by an enclosure accessible only via a vast bailey protected by an earthen fortification dating back to the first half of the 11th century. The name ‘la Rochete’ first appeared in 1241, when lord Arnould, witnessed a charter from Henry, Count of Luxembourg.

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The original noble family descended from the ancient noble family of Ouren, a seigneury south of St-Vith in Belgium. ‘Arnoldus de Rupe’ was mentioned in 1176 as a witness to a donation charter under the reign of Henry I, Count of Luxembourg. Over time, the noble family of Larochette continued to play a highly honourable chivalric role, particularly when the Duke of Luxembourg became King of Bohemia and then Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Arnould IV (de Fels) was later proclaimed justicier of the nobles. In 1343, as a reward for his services, John the Blind granted him a privilege of four looms that could be used by the clothmakers of Larochette. This is crucial to understanding the economic development of Larochette up until the 20th century.

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After 1348, the castle was divided between the heirs, and over the following century, at least 5 stately homes were built there. Of the 5 known manor houses on the site, the names of two have survived to this day: the House of Hombourg and the House of Créhange.

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Successive divisions in the 15th and 16th centuries (Fels-Ouren, Fels-Trier, Fels-Heffingen and Fels-Heffingen-Contern) meant that the site was no longer permanently inhabited or used. The site fell into disuse and lost its military value.

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In 1905, Grand Duke Adolphe de Nassau sold the site and its outbuildings to the Count of Fels, a descendant of the Fels-Heffingen-Contern branch.

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In 1979, the Luxembourg government signed an emphyteutic lease with the then Count of Fels, and in June 2020 the State purchased the site with the aim of restoring and developing it.