# Castle of Corroy-le

- **Country:** Belgium
- **Notes:** château fort
- **Location Text:** Corroy-le-Château, Gembloers

The Castle of Corroy-le-Château is a remarkably well-preserved medieval fortress located in the village of Corroy-le-Château, near Gembloux in the province of Namur, Wallonia, Belgium. Constructed between 1220 and 1230 by William of Brabant, the structure stands as one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in the region. Built primarily of stone, the castle features distinctive gigantic round towers and is surrounded by a protective moat. Its enduring condition offers a rare glimpse into thirteenth-century design, earning it a place among Belgium's most significant historical monuments and recognizing it as part of Wallonia's Major Heritage.

For approximately eight centuries, the castle remained in the hands of the descendants of its founder, specifically the counts of Nassau-Corroy. Notable residents included Alexis of Nassau-Corroy and his descendant Joseph-Ignace de Nassau, who undertook significant refurbishments of the interior. The property's modern history took a dramatic turn in 2008 when a family dispute led to a court-ordered public auction. Although artist Wim Delvoye purchased the site with intentions of converting it into a modern art museum, the Marquis de Trazegnies successfully intervened to retain ownership of his ancestral home.

Following this legal battle, the Marquis de Trazegnies ceded the property in 2010 to the Association Royale des Demeures Historiques et Jardins de Belgique. This transfer ensured the castle's preservation under the care of an organization dedicated to protecting historic residences and gardens. Today, the castle stands not only as a testament to medieval engineering but also as a symbol of aristocratic continuity and successful heritage conservation efforts in Belgium. Its survival through centuries of ownership and recent legal challenges highlights its enduring cultural value to the nation.

![Photo of Castle of Corroy-le](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Corroy-le-Ch%C3%A2teau_CH1b.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_Corroy-le-Château (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)