The area around the
Sambre and
Meuse rivers has frequently been the scene of conflicts and battles. During the early 16th century, the development of stronger
artillery necessitated a new kind of fortifications.
Mary of Hungary, governor of what was then the
Habsburg Netherlands, was tasked with strengthening the fortifications along the border with France by her brother, Emperor
Charles V; the French had laid out a series of fortifications on their side of the border already in 1519. At Mary's initiative, the fortress of Mariembourg was created in 1542–1546 on land which had earlier belonged to the
Floreffe Abbey. It was named Mariembourg in honour of Mary of Hungary, and its main square is today also named after her. The fortress town, which at its completion was considered impenetrable, was besieged by French troops in 1554 and taken only three days later. In the following centuries it was conquered and retaken several times up until 1853, when the fortifications were demolished and replaced by a ring of
boulevards. ==Description==