Avouerie d’Anthisnes: A Medieval Fortified Tower in Belgium

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.4

Popularity: Low

Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Official Website: www.avouerie.be

Country: Belgium

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

The Avouerie d’Anthisnes is situated in the municipality of Anthisnes, located in the modern country of Belgium. It was constructed by medieval builders during the high Middle Ages, within the European civilization of that period.

The core structure of the site, a fortified tower known as a donjon or keep, was erected between the late 1100s and the late 1200s. This period marked a time when fortified residences served both defensive and administrative functions for local lords or officials. Over subsequent centuries, the donjon’s robust construction allowed it to endure almost unchanged, surviving through the medieval era into the present day.

In the 17th century, specifically in 1648, the site experienced significant development with the addition of a corps de logis, which is a main residential building. This extension was commissioned and built by Godefroid d’Antine, who attached the new construction directly to the medieval donjon. The expansion reflected changing architectural and domestic needs while maintaining continuity with the original fortress.

Throughout its existence, the Avouerie d’Anthisnes remained remarkably well preserved. Its donjon stands as one of the three best-conserved medieval keeps in Europe, sustaining its original form without major alterations. This historic continuity highlights the site’s enduring role from the medieval period through early modern times within the Belgian region.

Remains

The Avouerie d’Anthisnes comprises primarily a five-story square tower, or donjon, built from locally sourced limestone extracted from nearby quarries. Its walls reach up to two meters thick, embodying the defensive architecture of the Middle Ages. The upper four floors are punctuated by small windows, narrow arrow slits designed for archers to defend the structure, and battlements, also known as crenellations, which provided both defense and protection for occupants on the roofline.

Attached to the donjon is the corps de logis, added in the mid-17th century. This residential building presents an expansive façade divided into four bays and is flanked by two smaller square towers, which rise to a lower height than the main tower. This extension reflects the period’s architectural styles while integrating closely with the medieval stronghold.

Beneath the buildings, vaulted cellars remain, serving historically as storage spaces. These cellars now hold the “Réserve de l’Avouerie d’Anthisnes,” a locally brewed amber beer with a high fermentation process and 5% alcohol content. The recipe for this beer draws inspiration from the château itself, maintaining a cultural and historical connection to the site. It is produced at Brasserie Minne in Baillonville, linking the cellar’s function with the region’s brewing traditions.

Overall, the Avouerie d’Anthisnes retains its original medieval form exceptionally well, with the donjon standing largely unaltered and the later residential additions complementing the core fortress. This preservation allows visitors to observe a comprehensive sequence of architectural development from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period.