Ter Leyen Castle

Ter Leyen Castle, locally known as Kasteel ter Leyen, lies in the village of Boekhoute, in the province of East Flanders in the Flemish region in Belgium.

The first mention of a residence at this site dates from the early 15th century, when it was owned by the couple of Jan Sloeven and Kateline Sersander, landowners and both from prominent Ghent families. The first mention of a castle here dates from 1511, when it was owned by master Roeland Soete, who had inherited the residence in 1490 from his father; Jan Zoete van Lake, lord of Ter Leyen. So I suspect Roeland just castellated his inherited mansion.

In 1627 Ter Leyen was sold by the descendants of Zoete van Lake to a Guido Laurijn. Later the castle passed through the hands of local dignitaries until the mid-19th century when it passed to J.W. de Block, mayor of Boekhoute. He then had the castle modified, tearing down part of the west wing and filling up part of the moat. Also the park around the castle was redesigned in English landscape style. The De Block family resided in the castle until 1912.

During World War I Ter Leyen Castle was occupied by German troops. In 1931 it was sold to the Ingels family, who were brewers. They then had the castle restored.

At present Ter Leyen Castle is no residence anymore; it is used as a venue for weddings and groups. So it can only be visited as a guest but can easily be viewed from the village. A nice castle.

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