Larochette Castle — the steward in the well

OVERVIEW

Larochette Castle (Buerg Fiels, Burg Fels, Château de Larochette) stands on a promontory some 150 m above the White Ernz and the small town of Larochette in central Luxembourg. Dating from the 11th century, it was destroyed by fire at the end of the 16th century; since the State bought it in 1979 some restoration has been done.

HISTORY

The lords of Larochette (Van der Feltz) were standard-bearers to the counts of Luxembourg from the end of the 11th century. The family grew, and five stately houses were built apart from the main castle, among them the Homburg manor (1350) and the Créhange manor (1385), both restored. The lone Verlorenkost ('lost food') watchtower is named, the legend says, for a cook who stumbled carrying pots of food and broke everything.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

Inside the Créhange manor is a well with its own legend: when the castle was under attack, the lady of the castle jumped into the well with her child. The invaders rescued her, then accused the castle's steward of treason and threw him into the well — and he is said to reappear every Good Friday in the form of a dragon.

VISITING

Open to the public every day from Easter to the end of October, 10 am to 6 pm.