Casteau
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Casteau_JPG01.jpg/250px-Casteau_JPG01.jpg)
Casteau(Walloon:Castea) originated as a village in theHainaut provinceofWallonia,theFrenchspeaking south ofBelgium.Casteau has become a district of the municipality ofSoignies,centred around Soignies (town), and together with the former villages, now districts:Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies,Horrues,Naast,Neufvilles,andThieusies.
The village is located between the towns ofMonsandSoignieson the roadMons-Brussels.The riverObrecheuilflows through the village. In the past, there were some watermills along the river.
- Postal code: 7061
- Province:Hainaut
- Municipality:Soignies
- Demonym: Castellois(e)
- Elevation: 63 to 115 m (207 to 377 ft)
- Area: 11.11 km2(4.29 sq mi)
- Time zone:UTC+1
Etymology[edit]
The name Casteau is the French word forcastle,and stems from the Latincastellum.
History[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Casteau_JPG02.jpg/250px-Casteau_JPG02.jpg)
Casteau was already known in neolithic times. A Roman cemetery from the times ofMarcus Aureliushas been discovered.
- 1678: French soldiers destroyed the village during theBattle of Saint-Denisagainst the Dutch army ofWilliam III of Orange.
- 1825: A part of the western plain became amilitary campfor theDutcharmy until theBelgian Revolutionin 1830.
- 1914: August 22,Captain Hornbywas reputed to have become the first British soldier to kill a German soldier using his sword and DrummerEdward Thomasof C squadron,Royal Dragoon Guardswas the first British soldier to fire a shot in the first skirmish between British and German troops ofthe First World War.This is commemorated by thefirst shot memorialin the village.
- 1940: German troops occupied the barracks until 1944.
- 1967: TheSHAPE(Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe) moved into the base.
- 1977: Casteau was merged with other villages to make the municipality ofSoignies.
Landscape[edit]
The valley of theObrecheuilis in the east of the village. This part of the valley is part ofNatura 2000.The heart of the village is in the northwest higher part of the valley. The northwestern part of the village is a plain with dispersed houses and farms with typical hedges. The village is the border between the valley ofThe Haine(Elevation from 20 to 30m) and theplateau of Hainaut(elevation from 80 to 150 m).
Around the village, there are several woods (comprisingoaks,beeches,chestnuts,andpoplars), fields (comprisingpotatoes,sugar beets,corn,andwheat), and prairies (for cows and horses). The ground is made of sands and silts.
Local speciality and collection[edit]
- Brewery and artisanal cheese called l'Augrenoise.
- Bus collection