Kasteel Reinhardstein

A castle that almost disappeared

Kasteel Reinhardstein stands on a steep rock above the river Warche, a few kilometres southwest of Waimes in the Belgian Ardennes. It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the region, though it has not always looked that way. The building fell into disrepair over centuries until Jean Overloop bought it in the 1960s and began restoring it largely by hand. You can feel that history. This is not a polished tourist attraction. It has a roughness, and that is precisely what makes it photogenic.

What makes the castle such a strong subject

Position is everything. Reinhardstein does not sit beside the river, it looms above it. From the opposite bank of the Warche, along the footpath by the water, you see the castle rising between the trees. That is the classic shot. A telephoto focal length around 100 to 200mm works well to compress the mass of the building against the forested slopes. From further back, with more sky above it, you can go a little shorter, but the imposing scale disappears quickly.

The towers and dark grey stonework need contrast. Harsh midday light does not flatter the building. Overcast conditions work better. And mist, which sometimes hangs low over the Warche in the morning and slowly lifts, turns this castle into something almost unreal. The upper towers appear above a white layer. In autumn the warm colours of the deciduous trees add to this, and suddenly everything comes together.

Autumn is the season

October and November are the best months. The surrounding woods turn orange, red and yellow, and combined with the grey stone that contrast is simply there without having to search for it. Arriving early in the morning before the golden hour pays off. Park at the footpath towards the castle, just outside Ovifat, and walk towards the bridge over the Warche. From there your first good viewpoints open up.

The castle has limited public access via guided tours, but for exterior shots from across the valley you do not need to enter the grounds. Do bear in mind that sunny autumn weekends can get busy. The Hoge Venen draw a lot of walkers at that time of year, and this area benefits from the same footfall, which means going early or late is strongly advisable.

Practical

There is a small car park along the road towards the castle. The path along the Warche is part of the walking network in the nature park Hoge Venen-Eifel. For opening times of the castle itself, check the official castle website. General information about the municipality of Waimes can be found at waimes.be.

Sources and further reading

• Kasteel Reinhardstein (officieel)
• Gemeente Waimes
• Natuurpark Hoge Venen-Eifel