Godizo von Aspel-Heimbach built Hengebach in 1011, the castle later being given to the Counts of Metz. The castle became an important tool in the struggle for control of Lotharingia (Lorraine) during the 1000s. The Hengebach family gained possesion in the 12th Century and hence its current name. The male line died out in the 1300s, and the castle passed to the Counts of Julich in which it remained until the late 1600s. During the period of the 12-14th Century, the castle was slowly expanded. The original structure was the keep and palas and to this was added outer works to the western side. The castle was abandoned in the early 1600s and allowed to decay. A fire then ravaged Heimbach, destroying virtually the entire town and castle in 1687. While the town was rebuilt the castle was left in ruins until 1904, when restoration work began. Today the castle is used as a tourist site and has a small restaraunt in it.
Hengebach is located at Heimbach a town just northeast of Monschau near the Belgian border.
Hengebach is a nice structure to visit, and while being restored to some extent you can still see the basic structure that is over 750 years old.
Left, the main gate. Below, one of the residential sections.
Part of the walkway for the outer wall. The wooden rails are of recent restoration but provide a good idea what the original looked like.
Below, a winding stairway has been built into the keep but does not follow the exact location of the originals, the footings which can still be seen in the wall.
