Castle of Ciergnon

The Royal Castle of Ciergnon (Château Royal de Ciergnon) is a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian Royal Family situated near the town of Ciergnon in the municipality of Houyet. The castle is a property of the Belgian Royal Trust.

The domain with its woods, river and vast hunting grounds was acquired in 1840 by King Leopold I of Belgium at the request of his spouse Queen Louise-Marie. At first a hunting lodge was erected on a beautiful terrace overlooking a deep forested valley. The present Château was erected only later on the demand of King Leopold II of Belgium. The edifice was designed by his court architect Alphonse Balat. Since then it has always served as a holiday retreat to the Royal Family. In 1960 it was the venue for the press presentation of King Baudouin's fiancé Dona Fabiola de Mora y Aragon.More recently the children of the Duke of Brabant, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Prince Gabriel of Belgium and Prince Emmanuel of Belgium were baptised in the chapel of the château.

The Royal Family also owned other castles in the direct vicinity of Ciergnon. The Castle of Fenffe is still in use as a holiday retreat to the Duke of Brabant and his family. The Castle of Ardenne was, according to the wish of King Leopold II, converted in a luxury hotel. It was abolished after World War II and destroyed by fire in 1968.

References

* [http://personales.ya.com/fororeal/enfrbel.htm Belgium Royal Family]