History
In the 10th century, the Count of Flanders built a motte-and-bailey castle along the Scheldt River on the current site of Amtoing Castle.[1] Today, this is located in the municipality of Antoing in Hainaut Province of Wallonia, Belgium.[2] In the early 12th century, stone fortifications and a stone keep were added to the castle.[2]
Jean de Melum rebuilt Antoing Castle between 1436 and 1452, creating a "luxurious tower house" with updated defenses.[1] In the 15th and 16th centuries, Antoing Castle was visited by many notables of the era, including Charles the Bold; Henry VIII; Margaret of Austria; Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor; Philip the Good; and Philip II of Spain.[1] In the 17th and 18th centuries, Antoing Castle was visited by Louis XIV and Louis XV.[1]
In 1634, Antoing Castle was inherited by the Princes de Ligne when there was not a male heir, and the holder of that title still owns it.[1] In 1901 to 1914, Amtoing Castle was used by the College of the Sacred Heart, operated by the French Jesuit for students of the College of Lille in exile.[2][1] During World War I, the castle was used as a hospital by the Imperial German Army.[1]
Antoing Castle is now the private home of the De Ligne family.[1] It is one of the best-known castles in Belgium.[3] Locally, it is called the Château d'Antoing and the Château des Princes de Ligne.[1]
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