CASTLES EUPEN

Libermé Castle stands as a distinctive water-surrounded fortress in Eupen, its name deriving from the Latin phrase Libera me (bevrijd me). First documented in 1334 as a fief of Aachen's Church of the Virgin Mary, the rectangular castle features round slate-roofed towers protecting its moat-enclosed structure. The castle underwent extensive modifications, including renewal by Hermann von Batenburg from 1534 and reconstruction following 1684 French destruction and a 1750 fire by the De Royer brothers who replaced its drawbridge with stone. Designated as a historical monument and privately owned, Libermé has operated as a restaurant since 1964, offering refined dining within medieval walls while hosting regular chamber music concerts.

Burg Stockem in Eupen, Wallonia, is a castle with medieval origins, first mentioned in 1544 though early references exist from 1172. The structure underwent numerous rebuildings and renovations over centuries, with significant damage from a 1778 fire that destroyed much of the precastle complex. The present complex dates mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries, including an 18th-century gate construction and 19th-century eastern tower. Established anew in 1805 by the Vercken family and later owned by the Grand Ry family, the castle has been protected as a historic monument since 1986.