41 Best Belgian Castles and Chateaus (Photos)

Marnix Castle

Architectural eye candy right here with this incredible collection of 41 fabulous Belgian castles, chateaus, palaces and manor houses. For a smallish country in size, it sure offers abundance in fabulous architecture.

Frankly, other than ruins, I’d take any one of these for my house. I’m not sure I’d love the upkeep bill, but it sure would be neat to live in one of these spectacular structures.

Table of Contents Show

Alden Biesen Castle

Alden Biesen castle

Located in the small village of Rijkhoven in the municipality of Bilzen in the province of Limburg, Belgium, the Alden Biesen Castle was constructed in the 11th century by the knights of the Teutonic Order. However, the current buildings were constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries and served as the headquarters of a bailiwick or province of the Teutonic Order. In March 1971, the castle was burned down and then acquired by the Belgian government and restored the property. Today, it serves as a cultural centre and conference centre.

About the Alden Biesen castle

Where: Limburg, Belgium
When: 11th century
Who built it: Knights of the Teutonic Order
Style: Renaissance style
What is it now? Open to public / Cultural centre / Conference centre
Current owner: Belgian state government

Arenberg Castle

Located near Leuven in Belgium, Kasteel van Arenberg was the castle of the lords of Heverlee since the 12th century until the family went bankrupt and had to sell the property to the Croÿ family from Picardy in the 15th century. Antoine I de Croÿ demolished the medieval castle to replace a new one, which was completed by his grandson, William de Croÿ in the 16th century. Upon the death of the last duke Charles III of Croy, the château was passed to the Arenberg family until the First World War, then later on became property of the Belgian government and is now open to the public.

About the Arenberg Castle

Where: Leuven, Belgium
When: 12th century
Who built it: Lords of Heverlee
Style: Medieval architecture / Renaissance style / Gothic style / Neo-gothic style
What is it now? Open to public
Current owner: Belgian government

Beersel Castle

Beersel castle

Beersel Castle was built in the early 14th century by Godfrey of Hellebeek as a defensive base for Brussels. It is located in the Belgian town of Beersel, Flemish Brabant and it was damaged during the war of succession of Brabant. Although it was repaired shortly after, it was once again destroyed during the rebellion against Maximilian of Austriaand was restored after the war. Today, the castle is open to the public owned by the Royal Association of Historic Residences and Gardens in Belgium.

About the Beersel castle

Where: Leuven, Belgium
When: 14th century
Who built it: Godfrey of Hellebeek
Style: Neo-gothic style
What is it now? Open to public
Current owner: Royal Association of Historic Residences and Gardens in Belgium

Château de Belœil

Beloeil castle

Château de Belœil or Beloeil castle became property of the Ligne family in 1394. It is set in the municipality of Belœil in the province of Hainaut, Belgium and has been the residence of the Prince de Ligne since the 14th century. Although the Ligne family still owns the property, it is currently open to the public.

About the Beloeil castle

Where: Belœil, Belgium
When: 14th century
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Medieval architecture / Baroque style
What is it now? Open to public
Current owner: Ligne family

Borluut Castle

Borluut castle

The Castle Borluut located in village of Saint-Denis-Westrem, Belgium was first mentioned in the Sint-Pieters loan book in 1411. It is said to have remained in the hands of the Borluut family until 1744 came after sale in 1858 in the possession of the family of Count Balthazar Borluut d’Hoogstraete. The owner had it remodeled into a summer residence using architect Joseph Van Damme’s design. The last private owners, Jonkheer Mertens de Wilmars and his wife Suzanne Morel de Boucle Saint-Denis sold the castle to the municipality of Sint-Denijs-Westrem, which later became the property of the city of Ghent. Now, the castle is open to the public.

About the Borluut castle

Where: Saint-Denis-Westrem, Ghent, Belgium
When: 15th century
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Neo-classical style
What is it now? Open to public
Current owner: City of Ghent, Belgium

Bornem Castle

Bornem Castle located in Bornem, province of Antwerp, Belgium is a now a country house that is formerly a castle. It is also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, which was built probably in the 10th century to defend against the incursions of the Vikings. The later castle was built during the 16th century in the orders of the Spanish nobleman Pedro Coloma, 3rd Baron of Bornhem and lord of Bobadilla. It was later on became property of the family de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde and was renovated by the architect Henri Beyaert at the end of the 19th century. Today, the property houses a museum and is open to the public under the owner, John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, 14th Earl of Bornem.

About the Bornem Castle

Where: Bornem, Antwerp, Belgium
When: 10th century
Who built it: Unknown / Renovated by architect Henri Beyaert
Style: Renaissance revival style
What is it now? Museum / Open to public
Current owner: House of Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde

Castle de la Faille

Castle de la Faille is a Neo-gothic castle in Bruges, Belgium. It was built in the 19th century by Charles De Wulf for a florist Leon De Wulf, who served in the executive board of the municipal of Bruges. In the 20th century, the castle was purchased by the city of Bruges and became a protected monument.

About the Castle de la Faille

Where: Bruges, Belgium
When: 19th century
Who built it: Charles De Wulf / Leon De Wulf
Style: Neo-gothic style
What is it now? Protected monument
Current owner: Municipality of Bruges, Belgium

Castle Gravensteen

The Gravensteen means “castle of the count” in Dutch. It is located in Ghent, Belgium and was originally built as a fortified medieval bastion in the 9th century. The current castle was built in the 12th century by count Philip of Alsace on the same location as the medieval bastion. It was then abandoned in the 14th century after serving as the seat of the Counts of Flanders. In the 19th century, the city of Ghent renovated and restored the castle to its original form after purchasing the property. Now, the Gravensteen serves as the most important tourist attraction of Ghent.

About the Castle Gravensteen

Where: Ghent, Belgium
When: 12th century
Who built it: Philip of Alsace
Style: Medieval architecture / Gothic style / Renaissance style
What is it now? Tourist site
Current owner: City of Ghent, Belgium

Harzé Castle

Castle in Aywaille

The Harzé Castle located in the municipality of Aywaille, province of Liège, Belgium was built in the 14th century by the Clermont family, originally as a fortress. The castle was erected on the same spot and changed owners multiple times. During World War 2, the castle became the headquarters of the US 18th Airborne Corps under the command of Major General Matthew B. Ridgway during the Battle of the Bulge. Today, the castle serves as a hotel, restaurant, conference center & wedding venue.

About the Harzé Castle

Where: Aywaille, Liège, Belgium
When: 14th century
Who built it: Clermont family
Style: Renaissance style
What is it now? Hotel and Restaurant
Current owner: Private owner

Castle of Durbuy

castle in Durbuy

The castle of Durbuy’s history dates back to the 9th century and was owned by John I, Count of Luxembourg and King of the Bohemia. The castle underwent destruction many times and in the 18th century, the castle was bought by the family d’Ursel and had it rebuilt. Today, the castle is still private property and is not open to the public.

About the Castle of Durbuy

Where: Durbuy, Luxembourg, Belgium
When: 9th century / Rebuilt in 18th century
Who built it: Count of Luxembourg / King of the Bohemia
Style: Renaissance style
What is it now? Private property
Current owner: Private owner

Annevoie Castle

Castle of Annevoie

Annevoie Castle was built in the 18th century in the village of Annevoie-Rouillon in the municipality of Anhée, province of Namur, Belgium. It was constructed in the orders of the Montpellier family and made popular by the extensive water gardens that surround it, the Jardins d’Annevoie, the only ones of their kind in Belgium. It was occupied by the Montpellier family until year 2000 when it was sold to businessman Stephan Jourdain. Today, it is open to the public as a popular tourist site partially owned by the Walloon Region.

About the Castle of Annevoie

Where: Annevoie-Rouillon, Anhée, Belgium
When: 17th century
Who built it: Montpellier family
Style: French Renaissance style
What is it now? Tourist site / open to the public
Current owner: Walloon Region

Groot-Bijgaarden Castle

castle of Groot-Bijgaarden

Groot Bijgaarden Castle

Groot-Bijgaarden Castle was built for Almaric Bigard, the first lord of Bigard in the 12th-century. It is located in Groot-Bijgaarden in the municipality of Dilbeek, Flemish Brabant, Belgium. The castle has been succeeded by 40 owners and today operates as an event venue.

About the Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden

Where: Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium
When: 12th century
Who built it: Almaric Bigard
Style: Flemish Renaissance style
What is it now? Event venue
Current owner: Private owner

Castle of Havré

castle of Havré

The counts of Flanders and Hainaut have had control over Havré since the 11th century but the origins of the Havré Castle can be only traced back to the year 1226. However, the castle that is known today was built on the remains of a 12th century feudal fortress, which welcomed many succeeding owners. The castle has been abandoned starting in the early years if the 20th century and is still owned by the Province of Hainaut.

About the Castle of Havré

Where: Hainaut, Belgium
When: 12th century
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Medieval architecture
What is it now? Ruined castle
Current owner: Province of Hainaut

Ham-sur-Heure Castle

Castle of Ham-sur-Heure

The Ham-sur-Heure Castle is a gothic style castle located in Ham-sur-Heure, a village in the municipality of Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes, province of Hainaut, Belgium. Its history can only be traced back to the 13th century when it was still a property of the Condé family. However, during the 15th century, owned by the d’Enghien family and when the last family member died without heirs, the property was transfered to the De Merode family, and later on to the descendants of Charles John d’Oultremont. The family sold the castle to the municipality of Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes, who used it as the town hall.

About the Castle of Ham-sur-Heure

Where: Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes, Belgium
When: 13th century
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Gothic style
What is it now? Town hall
Current owner: Municipality of Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes

Jehay-Bodegnée Castle

Castle of Jehay

Jehay Castle or Jehay-Bodegnée Castle is located in the municipality of Amay in the province of Liège in Belgium. The castle that is known today was built during the 12th century, but it is believed that there was a first castle built in the same location. It was owned by several noble families and survived many damages before it was acquired by the the province of Liège in 1999. Today, the castle serves as a national museum and can be visited for a fee.

About the Castle of Jehay

Where: Liège, Belgium
When: Unknown
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Gothic style / Gothic revival style
What is it now? National museum
Current owner: Province of Liège

Castle of the Dukes of Brabant

The castle of the Dukes of Brabant located in Turnhout, Belgium originated as a hunting lodge of the first duke of Brabant back in the 12th century. It was rebuilt by Mary of Hungaryat that time the governors of the Netherlands into the known castle of today to serve as the court of pleasure. During the early days of the 20th century, the castle was purchased by the county government and restored in neo-baroque style following the designs of Jules Taeymans. Today, the castle is recognized as a national monument and current serves as a court of justice.

About the Castle of the Dukes of Brabant

Where: Turnhout, Belgium
When: 12th century / Reconstructed in the 20th century
Who built it: First duke of Brabant / Reconstructed by Jules Taeymans
Style: Medieval castle / Neo-baroque style
What is it now? National monument / Court of Justice
Current owner: Government of Belgium

Chateau de La Hulpe

The Chateau de La Hulpe, also known as Solvay Castle is located in the municipality of La Hulpe, Walloon Brabant, Belgium. It was built in the 19th century in Flemish Neo-renaissance style by Belgian architect Jean-François Coppens and Jean-Jacques Arveuf-Fransquin of France in the orders of the Marquis Maximilien de Béthune. The castle was acquired by Ernest Solvay during the late 19th century and the property was renamed into the Solvay Castle. Today the property is owned by the government of Wallonia and is open to the public and classified as an “Exceptional Heritage Site in Wallonia.”

About the Chateau de La Hulpe

Where: Walloon Brabant, Belgium
When: 19th century
Who built it: Belgian architect Jean-François Coppens and Jean-Jacques Arveuf-Fransquin of France for Marquis Maximilien de Béthune
Style: Flemish Neo-renaissance style
What is it now? Open to the public / Exceptional Heritage Site in Wallonia
Current owner: Regional government of Wallonia

Chateau Freÿr

The castle of Freÿr was built in the middle ages as a keep located in Hastière, Belgium. The keep was given in fief by the Count of Namur to Jean de Rochefort Orjol in 1378 and in 1554, the original keep was destroyed by the French during the wars against Emperor Charles V. It was then rebuilt in the following years into the castle that is known today in a Renaissance Mosane style. The castle’s garden was added in 1760 by Canon Guillaume de Beaufort-Spontin following the designs of André Le Nôtre. Today, the castle’s garden is open to the public while the castle itself is still inhabited by the descendants of the Dukes of Beaufort-Spontin, which became the castle’s lords in the 18th century.

About the Chateau Freÿr

Where: Hastière, Belgium
When: 14th century
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Medieval architecture / Renaissance Mosane style / French Renaissance style
What is it now? Open to the public / House of the Dukes of Beaufort-Spontin
Current owner: Dukes of Beaufort-Spontin

Vianden Castle

chateau of Vianden

Located in Vianden in the north of Luxembourg, the Vianden Castle is one of the largest fortified castles in the west of the Rhine. It was built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century and was followed by trimmings and Gothic style transformations and in the 17th century, a renaissance style mansion was added after the castle fall into ruins, but later was fully restored later on. Today, the castle is open to the public while guided tours are available.

About the Chateau of Vianden

Where: Luxembourg, Belgium
When: 11th century
Who built it: Unknown
Style: Romanesque style / Gothic style / Renaissance style
What is it now? Open to the public / Tourist site
Current owner: Government of Belgium

Crupet Castle

Crupet castle

Crupet Castle, also known as Carondelet Castle dates back to the 11th or 12th century as a medieval moated donjon or fortified farmhouse. It is located in the village of Crupet, since 1977 part of the municipality of Assesse, province of Namur, Belgium. During the 16th century, it was transformed into renaissance style castle farm. It is currently a private property and is not open to the public.

About the Crupet castle