Miranda Castle

Miranda Castle (also known as Château de Noisy) was a neo-Gothic residence in the Belgian Ardennes, in the Namur region. It stood near the town of Celles, close to the village of Vêves. For years it was counted among Belgium's most photogenic ruins; today only its history and photographs remain.

Where was Miranda Castle?

The castle stood in Wallonia, in Namur province, near Celles and Vêves, at roughly 50.222 N, 4.990 E. The surroundings are classic Ardennes countryside: forests, valleys and small villages. The site is private property, so it is not open for free visits.

Who built it, and why?

The Liedekerke-Beaufort family commissioned the residence. They had left the nearby castle at Vêves during the French Revolution and needed a new home. Construction took place in the mid-19th century, with 1866 given as the year the main building was finished or close to it. The design is credited to the English architect Edward Milner, who died before the work was complete. A clock tower was added in 1907 to finish the ensemble.

What did it look like?

The building was a showpiece of neo-Gothic style, popular across 19th-century Europe: slender towers, pointed-arch windows, rich stone detailing and a fairy-tale silhouette. That look later made it a favourite subject for photographers.

Its 20th-century history

During the Second World War, in the Battle of the Bulge, German troops occupied the castle. In 1950 the Belgian national railway took it over and ran it as a children's holiday camp, a use that lasted until the late 1970s. The building then stood empty. Most accounts say it was abandoned in 1991 because maintaining such a large property had become too expensive.

What happened to it?

After it was abandoned, the building slowly decayed and became a well-known destination for urban explorers. Demolition began in 2016, and by 2017 the castle was gone. Accounts differ on the details of how the demolition unfolded, but all agree that nothing of the building remains.

Frequently asked questions

Does Miranda Castle still exist? No. It was demolished in 2016 and 2017.

Can you visit the site where it stood? The land is private and entry requires the owner's permission.

What other names does the castle go by? Château Miranda and Château de Noisy.

Which town is closest? Celles in Namur province, with the site associated with Vêves.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Vêves Castle, the former seat of the same family, is a natural next stop on a trip through this part of the Ardennes.