Useldange Castle

Useldange castle stands in the middle of its village in the Attert valley, a ruin of two towers and curtain walls dating from the twelfth century onwards. What makes it unusual is the way it has been opened: a walkway and audio trail were installed specifically for blind and partially sighted visitors, with tactile models, braille panels and a guide rope, so that the site can be understood by touch and sound rather than only by looking.

History

The castle seems to date from the 12th century, when the lordship of Useldange was created, and in 1415 Jean de Rodemacher became its owner by marriage. In 1924 Emma Kuhn, an emigrant to America born in Useldange, came back and bought the ruin; her family consolidated the walls in 1934 and built a house over the ruins of the palace, now the town hall (Wikipedia, Useldange Castle).

The main sights

• The tactile trail - the walkway, models and braille panels for blind visitors.
• The two towers - the surviving high points of the medieval castle.
• The curtain walls - the enclosure running around the site.
• The village setting - the ruin standing in the middle of the settlement.

When to go

April to October is the most comfortable; the site is open ground and free. The audio trail operates year round. Weekdays are quiet.

What to expect

It is a ruin with limited standing fabric. The village has few facilities. The visit is short.

Nearby

Mersch is southeast, and the Seven Castles valley is south.

Key facts