Gaasbeek Castle - 800 years of history
Already in 1240 a castle was built here to defend the Duchy of Brabant against the County of Flanders. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times, evolving from a medieval fortress into a romantic residence. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Hornes family, who inherited these lands, built a brick castle on the ruins of a medieval stronghold.
Over the centuries, this area was owned by several significant families, changing hands as a result of inheritance, conquest and purchase.
Some owners lost their heads on the guillotine during these turbulent times. In 1796 the flamboyant Paul Arconati-Visconti made Gaasbeek his summer residence. He ordered a triumphal arch to be built in the castle park in honor of his great hero Napoleon Bonaparte. Paul's cousin Giuseppe and his wife Costanza, who arrived in Gaasbeek in 1821, founded the intellectual center of the Risorgimento movement in the castle. They worked for the unification of Italian territories.
Over the centuries, this area was owned by several significant families, changing hands as a result of inheritance, conquest and purchase.
Some owners lost their heads on the guillotine during these turbulent times. In 1796 the flamboyant Paul Arconati-Visconti made Gaasbeek his summer residence. He ordered a triumphal arch to be built in the castle park in honor of his great hero Napoleon Bonaparte. Paul's cousin Giuseppe and his wife Costanza, who arrived in Gaasbeek in 1821, founded the intellectual center of the Risorgimento movement in the castle. They worked for the unification of Italian territories.
Gaasbeek Castle-museum
The last resident of the estate was Marie Peyrat, wife of Giammartino Arconati-Visconti, who turned the building into a medieval castle. In 1921 the Marquise donated Gaasbeek to the Belgian state, expressing her desire to turn it into a museum. This is what happened a year after her death. In 1924 the castle opened to visitors. Many valuable artifacts are presented here, such as furniture, tapestries, and paintings.
Gaasbeek Castle is located in the middle of a park that was built in the 17th century. It covers an area of 49 hectares. You can walk here among the tallest beech trees in Belgium. On the estate there is also a baroque chapel of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, with an altar by Gerard Seghers, a classicist triumphal arch erected in honor of Napoleon, and a gloriette with a unique stucco ceiling. Gaasbeek also has a garden with native species of fruit and vegetables.
Gaasbeek Castle is located in the middle of a park that was built in the 17th century. It covers an area of 49 hectares. You can walk here among the tallest beech trees in Belgium. On the estate there is also a baroque chapel of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, with an altar by Gerard Seghers, a classicist triumphal arch erected in honor of Napoleon, and a gloriette with a unique stucco ceiling. Gaasbeek also has a garden with native species of fruit and vegetables.
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Address:
Kasteelstraat 40
1750 Lennik (Gaasbeek) |
Opening hours:
31 march-5 november
tuesday-sunday: 10.00-18.00 |
Ticket price:
12 euros
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Interesting places around Gaasbeek |
Kościół NMP w Alsemberg - 5 km
Zamek Beersel - 8 km Halle - 8 km Bruksela - 10 km Waterloo - 12 km |