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Founded: 13th centuryCategory: Castles and fortifications in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)
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As early as the 12th century there was a small predecessor castle on the site of a former Roman villa rustica from the 2nd to 4th century in the present village of Welschbillig.
From 1242 to 1299 the fortifications of the castle were significantly strengthened by the Prince-Elector of Trier, Arnold II of Isenburg and, later, the Landesburg was further expanded by his successors. During the so-called Dutch War the castle was destroyed in 1673/74 by troops of the French 'sun king' Louis XIV and from 1889 to 1891 the southern side was demolished to build a church.
The castle built over the remains of the Roman villa survive today as the remains of a large, quadrangular castle with moats. Still visible are the gateway with its two round towers, a stone bridge over the moat and the remains of the northwest tower.
The Roman villa was built in the shape of the letter 'U' next to a 58.3 by 17.8 metre water basin, which was originally surrounded 112 hermas. 71 of the hermas may be seen in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier.
References:The Château de Chantilly comprises two attached buildings: the Petit Château built around 1560 for Anne de Montmorency, and the Grand Château, which was destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in the 1870s. Owned by the Institut de France, the château houses the Musée Condé. It is one of the finest art galleries in France and is open to the public.
The estate"s connection with the Montmorency family began in 1484. The first mansion (now replaced by the Grand Château) was built in 1528–1531 for the Constable Anne de Montmorency by Pierre Chambiges. The Petit Château was also built for him, around 1560, probably by Jean Bullant. In 1632, after the death of Henri II, it passed to the Grand Condé who inherited it through his mother, Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency.
Several interesting pieces of history are associated with the château during the 17th century.