Remarkable heritage in Condroz

In addition to the woods, meadows and wheat fields that make up the superb Condrusian landscape, there’s a remarkable heritage that punctuates the stalks and chavées of this natural region. Chapels, castles and churches (among others) lurk around the bend in the footpaths, never ceasing to amaze lovers of old stones.

Atypical chapels

The Vervoz chapel

The Saint-Hubert de Vervoz chapel (1867) is interesting for the irregular arrangement of its stones, arranged without cement like a jigsaw puzzle. It is said that, during the building’s construction, Baron de Tornaco would pass the blade of his penknife between the stones; if the blade went in, the stones were dismantled, reworked and reassembled until they were perfectly assembled. So perfect, in fact, that the crypt, situated below water level, is completely free of humidity.

The Saint-Fontaine chapel

Until 1995, the castle, the surrounding lands (600 ha) and the village belonged to one and the same family, which explains the authentic character and unity of the architectural style of the place. The Romanesque chapel, built in the 12th century by the seigneurs, was reserved for them until 1320, when it became a parish church, and was transferred to the church of Avins in the commune of Clavier, where it is now located. Classified in 1944, in 2023 it underwent a renovation supported by the Comité de Protection du Patrimoine de Saint-Fontaine.

Did you know?

A “Pierre de Liberté” originally stood outside the building. It now stands to the right of the choir. In the Middle Ages, this stone granted the right to freedom to those who were condemned and seized it.

Food for thought: guided tours by appointment are available: Liliane Gérard – +32 (0)83 63 48 96

The Limet chapel

The origins of the chapel are obscure. It is mentioned in 1251 in a charter confirming that it belonged to the parish of Ramelot. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was transferred to the parish of Vierset, then restored and handed over to the church administration.

Belle-Maison chapel

The Belle-Maison private chapel is located in the grounds of the château of the same name. It features over 250 years of Italian Baroque paintings, stucco and woodwork.

Must-see churches

Church of Saint-Séverin

By the 11th century, the abbey of Cluny was rich and powerful, founding and financing priories all over Europe. The monks stayed for 400 years, but were few in number and rather poor. In the 16th century, Cluny closed the priory and ceded the buildings to Prince-Bishop Erard de la Marck, who had the presbytery built. The Jesuits of Liège took over for 200 years, then the Prince-Bishop again, and finally the French Revolution led to the sale of the buildings. In 1836, a fabrique d’église became responsible for the sanctuary. While some wanted to pull it down, the church became listed and therefore subsidized, enabling it to be maintained in good condition. That’s why Saint-Séverin still has a Romanesque church.

Monument Nicolas Et Marguerite5 E. Keysers

Saint-Martin de Modave church

Little is known about the construction and age of the church. It would seem that it remained in a rather sad state until the time of Jean-Gaspard de Marchin, who had it rebuilt around the 12th century, and had it enlarged and embellished. Later, during the French Revolution (1789-1799), attempts were made to seize the magnificent mausoleum of the Comte de Marchin’s parents in the church, but the mayor managed to stop the devastators. The furnishings were preserved, with the exception of the bell, which was removed and turned into a coin. In 1871, work began again, with the construction of a forebuilding and a tower. The tower was demolished at the end of the 20th century and replaced by a contemporary campanile.

Clavier – Bois. Eglise Saint Lambert De Bois. P. Mariage

Saint-Lambert de Bois Church

The church of Bois is dedicated to Saint-Lambert. It is thought to date from the 1st half of the 12th century, but there is every reason to believe that it already existed in 911. Over the centuries, the aisles were straightened and pierced with classical windows, the tower replaced by a bell tower and its annexes rebuilt.

The church owes its fame in good part to its tempera murals. They date back to the 14th or 15th century. However, they were only uncovered in 1911, when the church was restored. Some of them had to be removed with the requisite care and discernment. It wasn’t until 1969 that artist Jacques Folville carefully restored the paintings and secured them in place.

Ma Grand Marchin Eglise S. Pecheur 1 Rotated

Church of Notre-Dame de Grand Marchin

In 2001, Marchin was devastated. During a storm, lightning struck the bell tower’s famous slender, torso-shaped spire, completely destroying it. This tragedy sparked a number of initiatives to restore the damaged building. On July 2, 2005, after 15 days of spectacular assembly, the new spire appeared, identical to its predecessor. This was a major feat for the builder, who raised the mass using a single 260-tonne crane. The lower part with the bells was built on the ground, while the spire was erected in the workshop.

Unusual castles

Château de Modave, an inspiration for Versailles

Modave Castle, a Walloon Heritage Site, offers a unique tourist experience. With over...

Château Hoyoux

Situated in a park of several hectares with partly wooded valleys, partly exposed rocks and topped by clumps of trees, Château Hoyoux (private) was built during the reign of Guillaume de la Marck in the 15th century.
Yellow-toned and classically styled over three levels in height, the château has been entirely restored by its current owner, who also acquired the neighboring houses and the farmhouse converted into living quarters.

Don’t miss:the spectacle is breathtaking at the end of the day when the light gently fades and geese and ducks populate the nearby ponds.

Bagatelle Castle

Built in the clearing of the Bagatelle estate between 1896 and 1900, the château features facade pillars in small granite that were made by René Mercier, a quarryman and stonemason in Les Avins.

Anecdote: a legend has it that this pleasure house was built with the winnings from a night of gambling.

But also

La Commanderie de Villers-le-Temple

In 1260, Gérard de Villers, a Knight of the Order of the Temple, received the Villers and Clémodeau estates from the Abbey of Flône in exchange for other property belonging to the Order of the Temple in Hesbaye. Gérard founded a commandery on these estates. When the Order was dissolved, all its property passed in turn to the Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (which became the Order of Malta in 1530). You can see the old commandery’s surrounding walls and round tower.