It is one of the most impressive ruined castles in Belgium. Perched on a rocky summit near the village of Falaën, Montaigle looks down on the winding River Molignée. You reach it up a steep path that begins at a little cottage where they sell tickets.
The castle was built back in the 12th century. But it was reduced to a ruin in 1554 by the Duke of Burgundy. Since then, it has remained a pile of rubble that local people regiularly plundered for building material. In the 19th century, the site was acquired by a family from Brussels.
Not many people know about the castle. There is only parking of a couple of cars. But the site is slowly being developed. You might catch a mediaeval festival or a summer music concert. Or you can just climb up to the ruins to explore this impressive historic spot.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
