CASTLE OF THE DUKES OF LORRAINE
Sierck les Bains on the Moselle River
The
town of Sierck les Bains lies in the northwest corner of the Lorraine
department of the
Moselle, just two miles from the border with Germany
and Luxemburg, along the tucked into a cliff side along the banks of
the flat wide Moselle River. Perched on the rock hill which backs the
town is the medieval castle of the Dukes of Lorraine. The construction
date of the present castle is uncertain, though the current remaining
form is mostly from late 1400s, with some later additions. Successive
castles have stood on the spot, likely since the days of the Romans.
The defensive position is obvious and clear, and why this is where
the borders of three countries meet. In fact, Sierck le Bains is across
the Moselle river from the Luxembourg town famous from its place in
the
European political story, Shengen, where ministers of the European
Union gathered to mark the joining of modern Europe.
The
castle of Sierck-les-Bains became one of the favorite residences of
the lords who controlled the Lorraine region as early as the 11th
Century. The first known record is of Gerard of Alsace in 1067, who
noted the castle at Sierck among his properties and minted coinage
there. Successive
Dukes of Lorraine recorded significant events there, Mathieu II, Charles
II, married to Margaret of Bavaria founded the hospital of Sierck,
and Charles IV resided with his court until 1673, when Louis XIV decided
the maintenance of the castle was too expensive and ordered the residential
buildings destroyed and the
towers
brought down. The castle was modified to withstand artillery and briefly
in 1705 came under the control of the British under John Churchill,
the 1st Duke of Marlborough, Winston Churchill’s ancestor (see Blenheim Palace), until 1713, with the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht
which
ended the War of Spanish Succession. In the mid 1700s the castle was
rearmed as an artillery battery, but the guns removed in 1790. By 1811
the castle was abandoned and in 1866, became the property of the town
city of Sierck les Bains.
This
area of the Moselle is beautiful for its nature with some unique sights
and activites. The restored Castle of Malbrouk, with exhibits
and performances, is a 10 minute drive. On the German side of the
border in the Saarland are a number of fascinating sites, from the
days of the
Romans (see Roman
Villa Borg) and the dramatic Saar River Loop (see Saar
Loop Cloef). Sierck Les Bain is 10 minutes from Thionville,
and about 35 minutes from Metz. Cruise boats on the Moselle stop on
their journey
from France
to Germany along the wine vineyards. Near the castle, look for the
remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Marienfloss founded in 1238, with
the only
remaining
apse of
one aisle
converted into a chapel, and behind the castle is a curious long-abandoned
over-grown but undisturbed 18th/19th Century Jewish cemetery.
Visiting the Castle of the Dukes of Lorraine
The
castle is open to visitors from May 1 through September 30, Monday to
Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays and Holidays from 10 am
to 8 pm. In March-April and October-November during the week 10 am
to 4
pm and Sundays until 5 pm. Admission 5€ for adults, 3.50€ students,
and children 6 to 14, children under 6 are free. A multiple admission
pass for the Dukes of Lorraine Castle and Malbrouk Castle is available
(see Castle
Malbrouck ). There is parking near the tourist office where you can find
local hotels
if arriving spur of the moment ,and Sierck-Les-Bain can be reached
by rail. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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See Also:
POMPIDOU CENTRE ART MUSEUM - METZ
MAGINOT LINE FORTRESS SIMSERHOF
LALIQUE FACTORY MUSEUM – ALSACE
SAINT-LOUIS CRYSTAL MUSEUM – BITCHE
HERMITAGE CLIFF CASTLE - RHINELAND
