This was how people described Merode castle, the Renaissance-castle with medievel fundaments in the community of Langerwehe near Aachen.

But a catastrophe has overcome this wonderfull place. In the morning of the 19th of June a fire has destroyed the entire roof and two of the towers, tonns of water have been poured over the castle. Almost all of the furniture, paintings and books have been destroyed or seriously damaged and walls, lofts and interim floors have been socked with water.

The castle has become uninhabitable for years and the renovation process will swallow millions. Silent faces with tears in their eyes have witnessed the tragedy. But soon the shock of the people from the village and the region has developed into a wave of helpfullness to stand by the seven-headed family of Prince and Princess Charles-Louis and Clotilde de Merode in the first time after the tragedy. As already after the bombardement during the 2nd world war they have given the PrincessΠfamily the confidence for their decicion: Merode castle will be rebuilt.

The Victoria-ensurance and the Provincial-ensurance have been showing themselves generously. But after the first cleaning up the work of collecting donations must begin to really be able to reconstruct everything.