It is one of the largest fortresses in Europe and a place with a rich history: the Citadel of Namur. Among cycling enthusiasts, however, the citadel wall is mainly known as a battleground in cyclocross and Walloon Classics, although the fight was not only fought on bikes.Just outside the center of Namur, across the river Sambre, there is a hill that towers about 100 meters above the city. At the top of that hill lies the Citadel of Namur, a popular feature in cycling races.
Since 2009, cyclocross has also contributed significantly to the fame and popularity of the climb. That year, the Citadelcross was organized for the first time on the slopes of the hill on which the fortress is situated. The race quickly grew into a fan favorite, considered by many as one of the toughest cyclocross races.
The Citadelcross in Namur is also known for its muddy steep sections - photo: Cor Vos
For the history of the Citadel itself, we need to go back much further in time, although exactly how far is unclear. It is said that the hill has been inhabited for at least eight thousand years. This is likely due to the strategic location of the slope. It lies at the crossroads of several international (trade) routes and at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers.
The Romans are said to have been settled here already, but in the Middle Ages, the foundation was laid for the current fortress. At that time, a fortified settlement was built on the slope, which over time was transformed into a castle and served as the main seat of the Counts of Namur.
photo: Cor Vos
In the years that followed, fierce battles were often fought over the hill due to its strategic position. Control alternated among Dutch, Austrian, Spanish, and French hands, until the Belgians seized power during the Belgian Revolution in 1830. For a long time, this complex was owned by the Belgian royal family until it was transferred to the city of Namur in 1975.
Popular destination
Today, the hill no longer holds its former strategic importance but has become a tourist attraction. The walls of the citadel were restored in 2012, and since 2015 there has been a visitor center frequented by hordes of tourists. Since 2021, a cable car connects the city with the Citadel, making the complex much more accessible.
In addition, the hill is making a name for itself as a climb in the cycling world. From the banks of the Meuse, a 2-kilometer cobblestone road leads up to the Citadel. Although the climb, with an average gradient of 5.3% and a maximum gradient of 7.5%, is not particularly steep, the slippery cobblestones add an extra level of difficulty.
In 2022 Mathieu van der Poel won the Grand Prix de Wallonie, atop the Citadel wall - photo: Cor Vos
It is precisely this cobblestone climb that also provides a great deal of spectacle in the Citadelcross, which delivers a heroic battle almost every year. The cobbled slope, the muddy course, the steep sections, and technical passages make it a physically and technically challenging cyclocross race for the riders, and a delight for the fans from start to finish.
Côte de la Citadelle de Namur, Namur, Belgium
• Distance: 2 km, Elevation: 104 m, Avg. Grade: 5.2 %
Even outside cyclocross, the climb is popular. It is included annually in the route of the Grand Prix de Wallonie and has hosted the Tour peloton three times, in 1989, 2012, and most recently in 2015. This is not surprising, as the cobblestones, rich history, and beautiful surroundings make the Citadel wall in Namur an exceptionally scenic climb.
