Gaasbeek Castle - 800 years of history
As early as 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 has been owned by several important families, changing hands through inheritance, conquest and purchase.
Some owners lost their heads to the guillotine during these turbulent times. In 1796, the extravagant Paul Arconati-Visconti made Gaasbeek his summer residence. In the castle park he ordered a triumphal arch to be built in honor of his great hero Napoleon Bonaparte. Paul's cousin, Giuseppe, and his wife Costanza, who arrived in Gaasbeek in 1821, established the castle as an intellectual centre of the Risorgimento movement. They worked for the unification of Italian territories.
Over the centuries, this area has been owned by several important families, changing hands through inheritance, conquest and purchase.
Some owners lost their heads to the guillotine during these turbulent times. In 1796, the extravagant Paul Arconati-Visconti made Gaasbeek his summer residence. In the castle park he ordered a triumphal arch to be built in honor of his great hero Napoleon Bonaparte. Paul's cousin, Giuseppe, and his wife Costanza, who arrived in Gaasbeek in 1821, established the castle as an intellectual centre of the Risorgimento movement. 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 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 created in the 17th century. It covers an area of 49 hectares. Here you can walk among the tallest beech trees in Belgium. The property also includes the Baroque chapel of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, with an altar by Gerard Seghers, a classicist triumphal arch built in honor of Napoleon, and the gloriette with a unique stucco ceiling. There is also a garden in Gaasbeek with native fruit and vegetables.
Gaasbeek Castle is located in the middle of a park that was created in the 17th century. It covers an area of 49 hectares. Here you can walk among the tallest beech trees in Belgium. The property also includes the Baroque chapel of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, with an altar by Gerard Seghers, a classicist triumphal arch built in honor of Napoleon, and the gloriette with a unique stucco ceiling. There is also a garden in Gaasbeek with native fruit and vegetables.
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Address:
Kasteelstraat 40
1750 Lennik (Gaasbeek) |
Opening hours:
March 31-November 5
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-18:00 |
Fare: 12 euros
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Interesting places around Gaasbeek |
Church of Our Lady in Alsemberg - 5 km
Beersel Castle - 8 km Halle - 8 km Brussels - 10 km Waterloo - 12 km |