Slouching like a great grey dragon high on the central rocky ridge, Belgium’s finest feudal castle, accessed by two stone bridges between crags, harks back to 988, but is especially associated with Crusader knight Godefroid (Godefroy) de Bouillon, whose name you’ll hear a lot in these parts . The super-atmospheric castle still sums up everything you might wish for – dank dripping passageways tunnelling into the hillside, musty half-lit cell rooms, rough-hewn stairwells and many an eerie nook and cranny to discover.
It's worth investing in the audio guide (€2) or guidebook (€1.50) for background info. Daytime entry includes the open-air bird shows (11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm March to October) when trained ‘wig-snatching’ owls, hawks and eagles swoop low over spectators’ heads. To really get the heebie-jeebies, try the nighttime torchlight tour (adult/child/torch €10/7/2.50, 10pm Wed-Sun Jul & Aug). Book ahead.
