Castle Malbrouck is located in the municipality of Manderen-Ritzing, Moselle, 25 km north-east of Thionville.
In the heart of the Pays dit des Trois-Frontières (Luxembourg and Germany are close), the castle was built on a rocky outcrop from 1419 and completed in 1434.
It is then called Meinsberg Castle. The commissioner of the works, the lord Arnold de Sierck, declares himself in the service of the principality of Trier. However, deceased without heir, the castle will change owner several times until the seventeenth century.
It was in 1705 that the castle changed its name after the Duke of Marlborough settled there briefly at the beginning of the War of Spanish Succession. The one who will be immortalized by the popular song "Marlborough goes to war" brings together a troop of 100,000 men to invade France. He was to be joined by the Prince of Baden at Meinsberg Castle, but his ally was slow to reach the area, while the French armies, which were twice as numerous, were nearby.
The Duke of Marlborough - whom the French pronounce "Malbrouck" - ends up returning to Trier and Maastricht.
Sold as national property during the Revolution, the castle is already in a state of ruins when it is classified as a Historic Monument in 1930. Acquired in 1975 by the Moselle Department, the building is the subject of a restoration campaign copy from 1991 to 1998.
He then regains its former glory, with its main building on three levels, its four corner towers connected by curtain walls and its central courtyard. The castle has also recovered its defensive elements (barbican, moat, castle, machicolations), the thickness of the walls up to nearly 5 m. Also note that the stairs of the castle are arranged so that the right-handed defenders, on the upper steps, can hit potential enemies more easily.
The castle of Malbrouck hosts temporary exhibitions and occasional events throughout the year ("escape game", march of the lords...) even receptions. Open everyday save Monday. Free or guided visit or in costume. Rates: from 5 and 7 euros (free the first Sunday of the month). Information on +33 3 87 35 03 87.
