Château de Rianwelz

Courcelles, Belgium, Belgium

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The Château de Rianwelz in Courcelles, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium, is a historic feudal estate that already existed in the 11th century, built on an earlier site of lordship linked to the County of Namur and later to the powerful families of Namur, de la Hamaide, the Marquises of Trazegnies and finally the Marquises de Chasteler, who were the last seigneurs of Courcelles‑Rianwelz.

The present buildings mainly date from the 16th century, but the castle was severely damaged by an incendiary attack of French troops in 1794, and the part that survived best is the donjon (keep), which still stands as a visible reminder of its medieval origins, while the rest of the complex was later transformed into a farm and at one time operated as a brewery.

The site includes a mill that was originally attached to the lordship and used by the local population under a toll, and after years of partial neglect the château remained a private property, not open to regular visits, though in recent years the municipality of Courcelles has acquired one of its wings to restore and valorise the monument, planning to open it eventually for cultural and tourist events such as exhibitions and conferences, and the estate already hosts local medieval festivals with archers, tournaments and medieval markets.