Seffent Castle

The complex, originally built as a supply farm for the Lotharingian Duchy and first documented as Seffenter Hof in 896, was gifted by Duke Zwentibold to his cousin, Abbess Gisela of Nivelles Abbey. In 1028, Emperor Henry III transferred the property to the Aachen Marienstift, after it had previously reverted to the Empire. No records exist for the following five centuries. In the early 17th century, a new manor house and the two corner towers were built on 16th-century foundations. A drawing by Laurenzius Mefferdatis from 1722 shows the castle as a two-part complex. In the 18th century, it belonged to the Bouget family, who leased it to Chevalier de Bellegarde in 1780. The manor house was extended in the late 18th century. After World War II, the complex was severely dilapidated until a comprehensive restoration was completed in 1985.