Ter Elst Castle, locally known as Kasteel Ter Elst, lies on an islet in a public park in the village of Duffel, in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish region in Belgium.

The history of Ter Elst Castle reaches back to the 12th century. It was then owned by the Hildinckhusen brothers, the oldest known lords of Duffel.

From 1356 until the French revolution the castle was owned by the Abbey of Tongerlo. The abbots turned the castle into a beautiful estate and some important guests were entertained here, like Margaretha of York on several occasions between 1477 and 1503 and her lover Filips the Beautiful, Duke of Burgundy. The latter asked the Abbey to sell the castle to him because he liked it so much, but the abbots refused.

Part of the castle was burned down in 1584. But the castle was rebuilt in an even more beautiful manor. The French revolutionaries confiscated and pillaged the castle at the end of the 18th century.

In 1799 the castle was sold to Louis Hermans, a lawyer from Antwerp. He tore down three of the four wings of the castle complex and restored the remaining wing with its towers.

A final blow to the castle came with the battle of the Nete during WW I. After the war governor Baron Holvoet wanted to buy the castle to rebuild it and to turn it into a city hall. This was however rejected by the city council. So the castle stayed empty and fell to ruin over the years.

The ruins were bought by the city council in the 1970's and partially restored in their previous glory. In 1982 the ruins of Ter Elst Castle were opened to the public.




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Ter Elst Castle

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Laat-classicistisch kasteeltje met Palladiaanse inslag, nabij de Nete, ter plaatse van een ouder "Hof" (zie Ferraris). Ingeplant in het zuiden van een afgepaald en omgracht, doch verwaarloosd park, eertijds naar Frans model, heden overwegend in gebruik als weiland; conciërgewoning en sterk vervallen oranjerie ten noordwesten. Vanaf de steenweg toegankelijk via een gekasseide dreef met ijzeren hek.

Volgens A. Lens opgetrokken door de familie Berckmans - Van den Brande in midden 19de eeuw. Bezoek werd niet toegelaten.

Gekasseide toegang met ijzeren hek, bewaakt door vier bronzen (?) honden. Leegstaand kasteel op rechthoekige plattegrond, omgeven door vijvers. Bepleisterde en beschilderde constructie van twee bouwlagen onder plat dak. Gevels horizontaal geritmeerd door omlopende waterlijsten, een geprofileerde architraaf en kroonlijst. Overwegend rechthoekige vensters in geprofileerde omlijsting.

Zuidgevel van vijf traveeën, gemarkeerd door een bordes en een gevelhoge centrale portiek van drie traveeën, met kolossale Dorische zuilen; op de bovenverdieping rondboogvensters in geprofileerde omlijsting met ijzeren balkonleuning op gegroefde consooltjes; vensters der zijtravee onder driehoekig fronton.

Noordgevel (parkzijde) geritmeerd door gevelhoge vlakke pilasters. Centraal licht deurrisaliet met rechthoekige deur in geprofileerde omlijsting tussen pilasters. Hogerop drieledig deurvenster met balkon en bekronend driehoekig fronton.

Oostelijke en westelijke zijgevels van drie traveeën met mezzaninoverdieping. Oranjerie met deels bewaarde bakstenen omheiningsmuur: merkwaardig kwartcirkelvormig bakstenen gebouw onder zadeldak (bitumen). Aan zuidzijde: Ionische zuilen van arduin en beglazing met grote ijzeren roedeverdeling.

Conciërgewoning: mogelijk aangepast diephuis van drie traveeën met classicistische kenmerken, onder kunstleien zadeldak. Gecementeerde zuidgevel van drie traveeën onder driehoekig fronton met halfronde oculus. Overigens hoge rechthoekige muuropeningen in verdiepte gevelvlakken.

https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/10569

Hof van Ringen

Omgracht domein met poortgebouw (nummer 9) ten noordoosten en kasteel (nummer 11) ten zuiden, gelegen op een lichte verhevenheid, mogelijk verwijzend naar een zeer oude oorsprong. In 1220 is er sprake van een castrum. Volgens literatuurbronnen, in de 13de eeuw mogelijk één der vier burchten (naast Nekkerspoel, Rumst en Ruisbroek) der Berthouts, die dienst deden als versterking; in zijn huidige vorm naar verluidt opklimmend tot circa 1830, doch herhaaldelijk aangepast.

Bepleisterd en beschilderd classicistisch landhuis met peristilium en neogotische kapel van circa 1907. Naar verluidt sterk aangepast naar ontwerp van E. Welch met gerecupereerd materiaal van de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1958. Bezoek werd niet toegestaan.

Poortgebouw, volgens de literatuur opklimmend tot de 13de-14de eeuw, van bak- en zandsteen, met korfboogpoort in zandstenen kwarthol-omlijsting; de kettinggaten van de vroegere ophaalbrug zijn nog duidelijk zichtbaar.

https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/1691

Kasteel Battenbroek

The name of the renovated city museum comes from the humanist Hieronymus van Busleyden, chamberlain and tutor of Philip the Handsome, who took up residence there in the early sixteenth century. The clergyman and jurist was appointed to the Great Council in Mechelen, the first international court and the highest in the Burgundian Netherlands, comparable with today’s Court in Strasbourg. At his residence in Mechelen he received famous friends such as Thomas More and Erasmus. They cherished exotic objects and art collections, exchanged thoughts and philosophised about the new era which later came to be known as the Renaissance.

Five hundred years later, the magnificent Burgundian city palace is about to become a meeting place once again, a breeding ground for ideas and a place where art is collected. During World War I the large building was almost completely destroyed, leaving only the walls. The reconstruction went in phases, resulting in an eclectic style. During the restoration, in dialogue with the monument conservation department, a decision was made not to attempt a return to the original architecture. The patchwork of styles is part of the building’s history. The Museum Hof van Busleyden first opened its doors to the public in 1938. Precisely eighty years on, it opens once again, now fully renovated. The authentic façade had to be the highlight, so the museum has been extended underground with a gigantic gallery space fulfilling the strictest standards for exhibiting artistic masterpieces. In addition to the city of Mechelen, the government of Flanders also invested some four million euros, recognising the project as a lever for Toerisme Vlaanderen

https://www.the-low-countries.com/article/museum-hof-van-busleyden-brings-burgundian-era-to-life

Hof van Busleyden

The Hof van Savoye (Court of Savoy) or Palace of Margaret of Austria is an early 16th-century building in Mechelen, Belgium. It was one of the first Renaissance buildings in northern Europe.

Archduchess Margaret of Austria, Governor of the Netherlands, was granted a house located in the Korte Maagdenstraat (Virgins Short Street),[Note 1] but she found it too small and started an ambitious expansion campaign in 1507. From 1517 to 1530 the architect Rombout II Keldermans furthered the project, along the Keizerstraat (Emperor Street) modifying what became the rear wing, which faces the Palace of Margaret of York, her step grandmother who had died in 1503. Margaret raised her nephew Charles, the later Holy Roman Emperor, in her palace at which she lived until her death in 1530.

Historian Eric Ives describes the inner courtyard and southern wing of the palace, still much like Anne Boleyn must have seen it during the stage in her upbringing at Margaret's court. It stood model for the Palace of Whitehall as rebuilt for Anne in the 1530s.[1][Note 2]

In 1546 the explosion of the city gate that held the gunpowder stock, the Zandpoort (Sand Gate), brought repairable damage to the palace. It was owned by the city until 1561. That year, it received a new calling as the residence of Granvelle, the first Archbishop of Mechelen, and right-hand man of Philip II.

In 1609 the building was bought back by the city and served as the headquarters of the Great Council of the Netherlands from 1616 until 1795.

The Hof van Savoye became known as the Gerechtshof (Court of Justice), because it houses the lower courts (Criminal and Civil Court, Justice of the Peace, and Police Court).

Hof van Savoye

The history of Castle domain Zellaer probably goes back at least to the 13th century. Then there was a water castle on the spot where the current castle now stands. The first inhabitant was probably Arnold van Zellaer, a well-to-do canon of Sint-Rombouts. Since then, the domain has always been a sought-after residence in the outskirts of Mechelen. Several high clergymen have lived there, several mayors of Mechelen, a mayor of Bonheiden, well-to-do businessmen, a few graves and a baron. Because of this succession of different residents, a lot of renovation work and new construction work has also been done on the domain. There have also been several castles in the same place within the domain. The current castle is a neo-Gothic airlock that was built around 1885. The outer façade shows a robust appearance with a drawbridge, a Donjon, battlements and shooting holes. The facing brick is Gobertange sandstone that comes from the demolition of the city wall of Vilvoorde. The interior of the castle displays many well-preserved elements that were previously executed in Renaissance style, with beautiful carvings and paintings. The structural elements such as the stairs and ceilings were often worked out in a combination of cast steel and wood, characteristic of the period in which the castle was built (industrial revolution).

The 18.5-hectare castle park still contains many historical elements such as a canal structure, pond and lanes that come together centrally in a star. Many of these structures date back to at least the 18th century, since they are already visible on the maps of the Ferraris (1771-1778)

In 2017, the municipality of Bonheiden partially purchased the castle domain. The non-profit association Foyer De Charité Bonheiden, a lay community of the Catholic Church and the then owner of the domain, also remained a shared owner of the domain. Kempens Landschap has leased the entire castle domain for a period of 54 years.

At the beginning of 2018, Kempens Landschap and the municipality of Bonheiden started drawing up an integrated nature and heritage management plan for the entire Zellaer castle domain. A study bureau, in particular the Antea Group, was appointed for this purpose. The management plan will become the guiding framework for the upgrading of the castle park, the restoration and re-use of the buildings, and the public opening of the entire domain. The objective that is set is to give the domain a public function so that the entire population can enjoy this beautiful castle domain and its rich history, while certainly not exceeding the capacity of the domain in terms of natural values ​​and heritage.

In addition, an open call was also launched at the beginning of 2018 for the redevelopment and operation of the castle and coach house. From this, a suitable candidate was selected, in particular Ann Schoovaerts and Jurgen Mariën. They will, in close cooperation with Kempens Landschap and the municipality of Bonheiden, undertake the operation of the buildings after their restoration and re-use. A tender will be launched in September 2018 to find a suitable restoration architect to guide this entire process.



http://castellinelmondo.altervista.org/en/castle/belgium/flanders/kasteel-van-zellaer/

Kasteel van Zellaer

The history of the castle and its grounds dates back to the 16th century and has included various distinguished occupants. In the large entrance hall we find the well-known Plantin family motto above the fireplace:

“Labore et Constantia”

The castle was renovated between 1927 and 1928 by Philippe Moretus de Bouchout, whose coat of arms is to be found on the façade together with that of Countess Legrelle.
In 1986 the castle was bought and restored by the Jan Onzea family, a printer’s family from Borgerhout. On 4th December of that year it was opened as a restaurant with Bert Onzea as the manager.

Kasteel Fruithof is no longer a blot on the landscape of Boechout.
From its opening in December 1986 this stately building, with its unique location in a green open space on the edge of the metropolis, has been a centre where a wide range of customers find what they are looking for.

Those who love to dine well, those attending a conference who wish for good results achieved in a peaceful atmosphere, families with something to celebrate and who appreciate a child-friendly environment and, since May 1998, a bistro, De Jongste Telg, in the castle’s former coach house.
During the summer, when the weather is nice, you can drink your aperitif and coffee on the terrace, enjoying the peace of the beautiful park with its centuries-old trees and the wonderful view of the unique lake.

Nor have the muses been neglected over the years. For twelve seasons the aperitif concerts on a Sunday morning grew into a musical feast appreciated far beyond the boundaries of Boechout. The combination of morning music and an appropriate meal was a huge success. For twelve years this was organized by Kasteel Fruithof itself with father Onzea as the driving force and sister Marleen responsible for the PR. After the death of the former in September 1999, Bert and sister Marleen decided to bring this concert tradition to an end. Two years later the thread was picked up again by the Culture Committee of the Davidsfonds of Boechout and the tradition continued with equal enthusiasm. The beautiful location and the high standard of the musicians remain the same. There is only one difference, four concerts each year instead of six.
Art has always been important at Kasteel Fruithof. Sculptors, painters, photographers, over the years there have constantly been permanent exhibitions to be admired at the castle.
And we must not forget that the green park area of Kasteel Fruithof has been the setting for ‘Buiten-Beelden-Boechout’ a number of times, in collaboration with the Culture Committee of Boechout and the ‘Let’s Find’ gallery.

https://www.kasteelfruithof.be/english/

Kasteel Fruithof

The 'Hof ter Linden' castle is a classicist style castle located in a highly wooded domain near the town of Edegem in the province of Antwerp.

The construction of original castle began around the 15th century. It was then described as the house with bridge and gate. Between 1587 and 1588, the castle was occupied by Irish soldiers, these soldiers left the building in a dilapidated state and until 1609 the castle remained unchanged and in decay. The castle was restored in its original state later that year.

In 1724 a lane was built on the east side of the castle and one year later, in 1725 the castles was used as a court of plaisance. The large double linden tree lane between the castle and the church dates back to 1756 and gave the castle its current name, ' Hof ter Linden' meaning 'The castle at the linden trees'.


Between 1770 and 1773 the current Classicist style castle was built on behalf of 'S.J.de Neuf'. The interior had intact Louis XVI salons. The so-called "big salon" is designed by the French sculptor 'Clodion', the dining room with bass reliefs is designed by  sculptor 'G.L.Godecharle'. The carriage house and the 17th century stables were probably added between 1751 and 1770.

https://www.amazingbelgium.be/2017/06/the-hof-ter-linden-castle-in-edegem.html

Hof ter Linden in Edegem

Geschiedenis

Het Solhof is een oud landgoed. De oudst gekende bezitter is Niklaas van de Wouwere in 1414. In de oudst gekende geschriften wordt gesproken van "Cholhof", Zetel van de heerlijkheid Heysselaer.  Voor het pas afgebroken kasteel stond er een prachtig slot, omgeven door een slotgracht. Dit slot werd om onbekende redenen gesloopt. Alleen de twee wachttoren­tjes aan beide kanten van de ingang, herinneren aan de oude glorie. De beide nevenge­bouwen (remises) werden einde vorige eeuw opgetrok­ken in neo-renaissance stijl. Het hoofdge­bouw dat momenteel afgebroken is, was het minst interessan­te.
In 1515 had het een oppervlakte van 32 bonniers of 44,8 ha. In 1922 spreekt Les Environs d'Anvers van een trapeziumvormig geheel van 20 ha. Thans is het domein nog 7,5 ha groot (inclusief de gebouwen die recente­lijk verkocht werden). Het domein is als landschap beschermd bij KB van 27/5/75. Het domein Solhof en omgeving zijn geklasseerd als landschap bij Besluit van de Vlaamse Executieve van 10 april 1984.
Doorheen de eeuwen was het Solhof eigendom van verschillende families.
Voor ons interessant zijn vooral de eigenaars van de laatste 150 jaar, omdat naar hen ook enkele straten in Aartselaar genoemd zijn.
In 1837 kocht Baron van Ertborn het kasteel. Na het overlijden van zijn dochter werd het Solhof eigendom van jonker Alfons en zijn zuster Ludwina de Borrekens. Intussen zijn we al in de twintigste eeuw beland. Het kasteel was in die periode een echt museum, waar prachtige schilderijen te zien waren, o.a. doeken van De Vos en Sneyers.

De volgende eigenaar was de heer Nyssens, een tabakshandelaar. Na zijn dood besloot de gemeente tot aankoop van het domein. De akte werd verleden op 13 januari 1984. In 1990 werden de gebouwen aan een hotelke­ten verkocht, terwijl het park eigendom bleef van de gemeente.


https://www.natuuraartselaar.be/Solhof/#:~:text=Doorheen%20de%20eeuwen%20was%20het,straten%20in%20Aartselaar%20genoemd%20zijn.&text=Na%20het%20overlijden%20van%20zijn,zijn%20zuster%20Ludwina%20de%20Borrekens.

De Solhof in Aartselaar

It's origin goes most likely back to a Frankish settlement in the Carolingian time era. Arnoldus van Canticrode is mentioned first when he signed a deed in 1239 during the sale of a piece of land.

In 1284 it is Welter Volcaert who owns the castle. His son gives the castle to Duke Jan II of Brabant. His youngest son Lauries is knighted after his brave fighting in the battle of Woeringen in 1288. he dies however in the battle of the golden spurs when he fights on the French side.

Willem II Berthout buys Cantecroy in 1296. It is this Willem II who erects between 1296 and 1308 the high round keep that would dominate the castle until 1618. His son Wouter van Ranst and his grandson Jan van Ranst become the next owners of the castle. Jan dies without an heir and so his castle go to his brother Costen van Ranst who was succeeded by his oldest son Jan II. His son Jan III transform the castle into a fortified stronghold. Jan III also dies without a direct heir. Eight heirs would fight for a long time about who will get the castle. After a long trial it are Jan IV van Ranst and Hendrik van Ranst who are appointed to take care of the estate.

We are in the year 1538 and the castle is property of Hendrik van Pointaillier. He had inherit half of the domain and had bought the other half from Johanna van Ranst. When Hendrik dies his widow is forced to sell the castle.

The new owner is Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle he is Grand marshal of the empire and one of the most influential noble men of Empire Charles V. His oldest son is a brilliant man and he becomes bishop of Atrecht at age 21.

The castle was under attack during the iconoclasm of 1566. The attackers were however defeated. Cantecroy was turned into a powerful stronghold by Alva. After the pacification of Gent the Spaniards had to retreat. The regiment in Cantincrode was able to withstand the attacks for a long time but were forced to surrender in 1577.

Jan Baptist Maes bought the castle in 1616. He had however lots of debt. The city of Antwerp saw in this an opportunity to take revenge on the mighty castle. They forced Jan Baptist to remove all defending feature and to tear down all towers. At the end he was forced to sell the castle. It was Philip de Godines who bought the castle. By marriage the castle went to Karel de Fiennes bailiff of Brugge. During the guardianship of the Counts of Fiennes from 1655 to 1718 the castle would get its current appearance.

After the de Fiennes the castle would go to the family Termeeren until 1823 when they sell the feudalistic castle once again this time to Baron Jozef Renier Osy de Wycken. This important man was one of the persons who would offer the Belgian throne to Leopold van Saksen-Coburg.

During the 20th century the castle is in appalling state until madam Rosalie Van Daele buys the castle and restores it with her own means into one of the most beautiful estates of Flanders. Madam Van Daele died a few years ago and the castle is now occupied by her son.

What not many people know is that Albert Einstein stayed a while in the castle when he fled for the nazi's. He was waiting in the castle for his visa to move to the USA.

http://www.castlebook.com/cantecroy-castle

Cantecroy Castle



Cleydael Castle, locally known as Kasteel Cleydael, lies west of the town of Aartselaar, in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish region in Belgium.

Cleydael Castle probably already existed in 1259 when it was owned by the Sanders van Hemessen family. It was first mentioned in 1372 when it was owned by Geeraert van der Elst. Ownership of the castle was disputed between the Sanders and Van der Elst families and in the 15th century the Sanders family retrieved the castle.

During the 16th century the castle had several owners who all adapted it to their liking. One of them was Antonio del Rio in 1556, who was the treasurer of seizures appointed by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba and Governor of the Netherlands. In 1576 the castle was besieged and plundered by the troops of the States General of the Netherlands, led by Philip de Lalaing. This forced Del Rio to flee back to Spain. After that the damaged castle served as a home for vagabonds until 1592.

In 1613 Cleydael Castle was acquired by the Hellemans family who subsequently restored it. During the next centuries a long list of owners followed, until after WW I when it was bought by an Antwerp shipowner. He had the castle restored in the 1950's.

Cleydael Castle is a square and moated castle, with one square and 3 round corner towers. The square tower is the oldest part of the castle. It has a rectangular bailey which was also moated until 1806.

At present the castle is private property and is rented out as a party and dinner location. The domain around the castle is now used as a golf club, which has its clubhouse in the buildings on the bailey. Therefore the castle can not be visited. 


https://www.castles.nl/cleydael-castle