The Bohemian Tower (access prohibited for security reasons) takes its name from the title of King of Bohemia held around the middle of the 14th century by John the Blind. The latter was one of the masters of Poilvache at that time, before the fortress was sold to Marie d’Artois, Countess of Namur.
Originally, at the beginning of the 13th century, the « castle » part of the site consisted only of a quadrangular enclosure without towers. This particularity is perhaps explained by the political context of the time (need to build Poilvache very quickly) and the high cost that the construction of towers would have represented. The absence of the latter in any case formed a major flaw in the defense of the fortress and this problem was certainly made obvious during the attack of 1238 carried out, fortunately without success, by the troops of the Prince-Bishop of Liège.
It was certainly after 1238 that the defense of the site was improved, notably by raising four towers on the east and north flanks of the castle. In view of these constructions, it was first necessary to knock down the eastern angles of the curtain wall, drill an opening on the north side and partially level the wall in the center of the east side. It was this last intervention which allowed the erection of the Bohemian Tower, although it was carried out in two parts. All that remains today is the one located on the west side, the eastern part having collapsed into the ditch.
Poilvache 