Citadel of Dinant

The fortified Citadel high atop the cliff was first built in the 11th century to control the Meuse valley. The Prince-Bishops of Liège rebuilt and enlarged it in 1530; the French destroyed it in 1703. Its present aspect, with the rock-hewn stairs (408 steps), is due to rebuilding in 1821, during the United Kingdom of the Netherlands phase of Dinant's checkered history. Further fighting took place during the World War I: among the wounded was Lieut. Charles de Gaulle.