Birtrange Castle Explained

Birtrange Castle
Native Name:Schlass Biertreng
Native Name Lang:Lb
Location Town:Schieren
Location Country:Luxembourg
Years Built:13th century
Building Type:Castle
Architectural Style:English Gothic architecture

Birtrange Castle (Luxembourgish: Schlass Biertreng; French: Château de Birtrange) is a castle near Schieren,[1] Luxembourg.[2]

The castle was constructed in the 13th century by Gaspard-Florent de Breiderbach,[3] [4] and built in an English Gothic style.[5] It was acquired in 1813 by the De Blochhausen family, who held the castle until 1935, when it came to be under the control of the De Broqueville family. During World War II American troops were stationed inside of the building. Inscriptions and graffiti made by these soldiers can still be seen on the castle walls. The castle was abandoned in 2002.[6]

After the death of Baroness Claudine de Broqueville the castle was donated to the Red Cross. The Baroness wished for a music festival to be organized on the property following her death. In honor of this wish, the Red Cross organized a 3 day long festival hosting 2500 people from August 2-August 4, 2019.[7] There were numerous objections to this event based on potential environmental damage.[8] According to Carole Dieschbourg, the Minister of the Environment, there were not sufficient criteria to forbid the festival. Sam Tanson, the Minister of Culture, and Dieschbourg stated that they would not permit any damage to the site. Guards were sent to the castle to monitor the festival. Numerous bins were placed on the site and chemical products were prohibited. The music was also limited to ensure potential damage to the building was limited. If any damage occurred, the organizers would be held responsible.[9]

In 2022, the Red Cross expressed a desire to auction off the castle due to its poor condition and high maintenance costs,[10] [11] the proceeds of which would be reinvested by the Red Cross into other efforts.[12] [13] The Red Cross held an auction,[14] and the minimum bid was 5.2 million euros.[15] Luxembourgish entrepreneur Jos Bourg bought the home, and he began renovation work on the castle. The Department of National Sites and Monuments in Luxembourg assisted the renovation work.[16]

References

49.8264°N 6.0891°W

Notes and References

  1. June 9, 2023 . LISTE DES IMMEUBLES ET OBJETS BENEFICIANT D'UNE PROTECTION NATIONALE . live . Institut National Pour le Patrimoine Architectural . https://web.archive.org/web/20230919135006/https://inpa.public.lu/dam-assets/fr/publications/liste-immeubles-objets-proteges.pdf . September 19, 2023.
  2. Web site: Chateau de Birtrange, Diekirch - A Charm of Luxembourg LuxLuxuria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230801022858/https://luxluxuria.com/ . August 1, 2023 . 2024-01-13 . LuxLuxuria.com . en-lu.
  3. Web site: Pinksoup . March 14, 2014 . Ik zie roze olifantjes...: Schloss Birtrange . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231006215210/https://pinksoupelephants.blogspot.com/2014/03/schloss-birtrange.html . October 6, 2023 . 2023-10-06 . Ik zie roze olifantjes....
  4. Web site: Photo series: the hidden sites of Luxembourg: Birtrange Castle, 13th century cultural heritage . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221009094426/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1353043.html . October 9, 2022 . 2024-01-13 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  5. Book: Reid, Andrew . Luxembourg: the Clog-Shaped Duchy: A Chronological History of Luxembourg from the Celts to the Present Day . 2005-12-05 . AuthorHouse . 978-1-4670-0983-6 . 46 . en.
  6. Web site: Red Cross selling off Birtrange castle . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013232600/https://delano.lu/article/delano_red-cross-selling-birtrange-castle . October 13, 2022 . 2023-10-06 . delano.lu . en.
  7. Web site: Festival vs fauna: Birtrange Castle: a site in slumber . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113002644/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1379023.html . January 13, 2024 . 2024-01-13 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  8. Web site: Birtrange Castle Festival: Ministers provide assurances for conservation worries . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191021051244/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1383012.html . October 21, 2019 . 2024-01-13 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  9. Web site: Birtrange Castle: Green light for festival under conditions outlined by ministries . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113170531/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1384163.html . January 13, 2024 . 2024-01-13 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  10. Web site: Classified national monument: Red Cross puts Birtrange Castle up for sale - starting at €5.2 million . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101181423/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1657478.html . January 1, 2024 . 2024-01-12 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  11. Web site: Auction of Birtrange Castle: Deadline to submit bids runs out on Friday afternoon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210316060814/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1685568.html . March 16, 2021 . 2024-01-13 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  12. Web site: Birtrange Castle: A castle that no one wants . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220809015239/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1373968.html . August 9, 2022 . 2023-10-06 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  13. Web site: Birtrange castle has found a buyer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231006215013/https://delano.lu/article/delano_birtrange-castle-has-found-a-buyer . October 6, 2023 . 2023-10-06 . delano.lu . en.
  14. Syndicat intercommunal NORDSTAD. Offre dans le cadre de la soumission cachetée du château de Birtrange.
  15. Web site: According to RTL sources: Birtrange Castle sold to private owner from Luxembourg . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112232931/https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1690954.html . January 12, 2024 . 2024-01-12 . today.rtl.lu . en.
  16. Web site: Bourg buys a castle: Luxembourgish entrepreneur Jos Bourg named new proprietor of Birtrange Castle . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240113174359/https://today.rtl.lu/dossier/tdf/news/a/1691585.html . January 13, 2024 . 2024-01-13 . today.rtl.lu . en.

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