Introduction

Nothing is known of the origins of the city, undoubtedly dating back to the Middle Ages. Many villages in the surrounding region date back to the 18th and 19th centuries only, while Durbuy, with its château, is first mentioned in historical documents dating back to the 11th century.

Parchments dating back to 1078 and 1183 are both categorical and precise in their references to "Dolbui castello" and "Castellum de Durbui". The city, with its château and estate were later given the title of the “Terre de Durbuy”.

From the 12th to 13th centuries, Durbuy belonged to the Counts of Luxembourg, who, from a very early date, integrated it into the defensive system of the Counts of Luxembourg, La Roche and the “Terre de Durbuy”. The cities of La Roche, Bastogne, Marche and Durbuy were frequent allies in defending northern Luxembourg from military incursions.

Gerard of Luxembourg, followed by John the Blind, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, took all possible steps to ensure that these cities were well fortified.

Durbuy, which was thus surrounded by ramparts, was raised to the rank of “city” by John of Bohemia (1331).

As may easily be seen, Durbuy has retained its original layout, intact, right down to the present day. The layout of the streets remains practically unchanged, although the moats of the old city were filled in (1724-1725); the perimeter of the ramparts are still visible from several vantage points. The wall which remains, stretching from the parking lot at La Roche to La Falize, dates back to 1724-1725.

Although the city lost its gates and ramparts in the 18th centuries, and the Château lost its towers and curtain walls, the appearance of the site has changed relatively little compared to the description of the city written by William of Machault (1300-1377) during one of his stays at the château, before John of Bohemia (1296-1346).