Citadels and castles

In Belgium, there are approximately 3000 castles, farm castles, citadels, manors, or palaces. Belgium has one of the world's highest densities of castles per square km, if not the highest. Some regions (for example, Condroz, Hesbaye, Brabant, etc.) have two castles on average per village. Belgium has over 400 castles open to the public for sightseeing, receptions, seminars, and events, as well as hotels, restaurants, and vacation centers.

The word for a castle in French is' château, 'whether it refers to an old medieval fortress ('château-fort') or a residential castle. The term "château-ferme" refers to a medieval castle that has been converted into a farm or served as both a castle and a farm in the Middle Ages. Because of the rugged landscape of the Meuse valley and the Ardennes forest, as well as the abundance of bluestones in the former and yellow granite in the latter, the provinces of Namur, Liege, and Luxembourg have the most interesting medieval fortresses and citadels. The provinces of Namur and Liege have by far the highest density of castles, as well as the most diverse and appealing styles. Hainaut also has many "châteaux" in a style that is halfway between that of the rest of Wallonia and that of Flanders.

In Dutch-speaking Flanders, castles are known as "Kasteel" or "hof" ('court,' as in "Hampton Court") in Flanders. Due to the scarcity of stones in this flat region, Flemish castles are typically built of brick. Castles, on average, are also newer, dating from the 18th or 19th centuries.