Anthisnes Avouerie Castle

Anthisnes, Belgium, Belgium

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The Avouerie d’Anthisnes is a small medieval castle in the village of Anthisnes in Belgium’s Liège Province, made up of a sturdy 12th‑century defensive tower (donjon) backed by a 17th‑century residential building in the local Mosan Renaissance style.

The tower, built of thick limestone with narrow upper windows, is one of the best‑preserved examples of this type of medieval keep in Europe and originally served as the home of the “Hauts Voués” (high advocates) who protected the ecclesiastical lordship of Anthisnes on behalf of the Abbey of Waulsort.

The later wing, completed in 1648 by Godefroid d’Anthisnes, transformed the site from a purely defensive stronghold into a more comfortable residence while keeping the ancient tower as its central feature. Today the castle functions mainly as a cultural venue: the tower houses a small museum dedicated to Belgian beer and Liège’s regional spirit, pékèt, while the vaulted cellars below have been converted into a tasting room where visitors can sample the site’s own amber beer, the Réserve de l’Avouerie d’Anthisnes, along with pékèt and local apple juice.