Valley of the Seven Castles
A castle-focused private journey through the Eisch Valley, where medieval ruins, noble residences and quiet villages reveal Luxembourg’s historic heart.
- Eisch Valley
- Seven castles
- Historic villages
Schoenfels castle
Castle in Mersch, Luxembourg
French: Château de SchoenfelsGerman: Schloss SchoenfelsLuxembourgish: Schlass Schëndels
- Type
- Castle
- Location
- Mersch
- Built
- 1292
- Entry
- Free or not listed
- Visit time
- 1 h
- Access
- Exterior or private
Exterior or privateFamily friendlyWheelchair notedParkingCafé on site7 photos
About Schoenfels castle
The hamlet of Schoenfels is first mentioned by the name of Scindalasheim in a deed of 846 as a gift by Bishop Hetto of Trier to Abbot Marcuardus of Prüm.
In the 12th Century a person by the name of Theodorius of Schonevels is known. In 1292, before the invention of artillery, a fortified farm (primitive castle) was erected by a certain Ferri, aka Frederic of Schoenfels. It passed by marriage to the lords of Ansembourg, and later to the Sassenheims.
In the early 16th Century, Henry Schloeder von Lachen, Lord of Schoenfels and Busbach, acquired the estate. The Schloeder von Lachen coat of arms decorates the entrance to the tower.
The feudal castle of Schoenfels -of no great strategic value- was stripped of its fortifications by the French Army in 1683...
At present the renovation of the tower is underway. The plan is to install a visitor centre as well as a Water & Forestry Museum.
History
The castle appears to have been built by Friedrich of Schonevels in 1292. Through marriage, it subsequently belonged to the families of Ansembourg and Sanem. In the 16th century, Henri Schloeder of Lachen became the owner and the Lord of Schoenfels and Busbach. His arms are to found on the keep. In 1683, the French destroyed the castle's defences and in 1690 the castle and the village were burnt down after a dispute between Theodor von Neunheuser and the Lord of Brandenbourg. In 1759, Pierre-François de Gaillot de Genouillac became Lord of Schoenfels after marrying Marie-Catherine de Neunheuser. In 1813, his son, François-Romain de Gaillot, sold the castle to Jean-Baptiste Thorn-Suttor, governor of the Province of Luxembourg during the Belgian period (1831-1839). The Belgian senator Jacques Engler bought the castle in 1840 and left it to his son-in-law Baron Auguste Goethals who built a residence beside the keep. In 1948, the Luxembourgish industrialist Camille Weiss bought the property but sold it in 1971 to the Luxembourg State. The new residence was demolished in 1976.
Visiting & Practical Information
Opening hours
| Monday | 10:00-17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00-17:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00-18:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00-18:00 |
Open months: April, May, June, July, August, September.
Good to know
- Entry: Free or not listed
- Typical visit: 1 h
- Accessibility: The first floor is wheelchair accessible.
- Note: Renovation of the tower is underway. The plan is to install a visitor centre and a Water & Forestry Museum.
- Events: Various cultural events throughout the year and special events for Christmas.
- Address: Rue du Village, Schoenfels, L-7473, Luxembourg
- Official site: www.mersch.lu
Schoenfels castle in Photos
Private Tours Visiting Schoenfels castle
See Schoenfels castle with a private local guide, hotel pickup from Luxembourg City and a route paced around you.
