Tillegem Castle

Tillegem Castle, locally known as Kasteel van Tillegem, lies south of the city of Bruges, in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish region in Belgium.

Although it is said that Tillegem Castle may have had a 9th century predecessor, the present Tillegem Castle originally dates back to the 12th or 13th century when it was owned by Lord Jan van Voormezele. It was built as a square moated castle, flanked by square corner towers.

During the next centuries the castle was owned by numerous rich families from Bruges, who rebuilt it several times, maybe due to wartime damages but also to make it more comfortable.

In 1879 Tillegem Castle was acquired by Baron Eugène Charles de Peñaranda de Franchimont. He had the castle rebuilt to its present appearance in Flemish Gothic Revival style by the architect Jean-Baptiste de Béthune.

The castle was privately inhabited until 1980. After that, it went to the provincial government. The castle was subsequently restored and made suitable for offices.

At present Tillegem Castle houses several offices for provincial government. It can not be visited but the surrounding park is freely accessible. A nice castle.

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