Kasteel en Tuinen van Freÿr / Maas (België)

The Renaissance Wing

• Guillaume of Beaufort-Spontin built the center of the Meuse wing, in the style "Meuse Renaissance", such as it will be called later.
• This wing is one of the most ancient witnesses of this style (1571), introduced more lately in our regions than in Latin countries, the Gothic having receded later.
• This style covers the old Principality of Liege and its immediate neighbors, approximately, the North of the French Ardennes, the provinces of Namur and Liege and both Limbourg (Flemish and Dutch).
• It is characterized by the introduction of bricks; stones being reserved for foundations, framings, lintels, etc.
• The big tower out of stone, crowned by a watching station, is a remainder of a stronghold destroyed in 1554. It was destroyed upon enlarging the house at the beginning of 17th.
• The engraving comes from the Book of Hours of the Duke of Croÿ, a work of Adrien de Montigny.