Schilde Castle

Schildehof

Schilde Castle, locally known as Schildehof, lies south of the village of the same name, in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish region in Belgium.

Schilde Castle was probably founded somewhere during the 15th or 16th century, although some sources claim it dates back to the 12th century. In 1545 it was acquired by the Van de Werve family. At that time it was called Hof ten Broecke. It became known as Schilde Castle after 1559, when it became the seat of the lordship of Schilde.

By 1681 the castle seems to have been a rectangular complex with a freestanding square keep, which would have been the oldest part of the castle.

In 1723 Schilde Castle was sold to Paolo Jacomo Cloots. By then the keep had already disappeared. That same year Cloots was elevated to baron by the Duke of Brabant. Cloots soon died and between 1725 and 1733, his widow Joanna de Pret had the castle rebuilt into a more modern residence. At the same time a large French formal garden was laid out around the castle. She had the castle rebuilt again between 1755 and 1758.

The baroness died in 1764 and through inheritance the castle again came into the hands of the Van de Werve family. They, however, did not reside in the castle but choose to stay in their homes in Antwerp. The castle and garden dilapidated and in 1809 the Van de Werve's even provided for accommodation of 180 French soldiers in the castle. Later they seem to have regained interest in the castle as the garden was reshaped into an English landscape garden.

In 1834 the castle was inherited by Baron Henri van de Werve. He would be mayor of Schilde from 1871 until his death in 1924. Baron Henri was a bit eccentric and in 1871 commissioned a rebuilding of the sober 18th century castle into a more imposing and eclectic castle. The works continued until 1892 but were left unfinished. The reason for this is unknown, although legend has it that a fortune-teller had predicted that the baron would die when his castle was finished, so that may have been a reason.

In 1924 the castle was inherited by Baroness Françoise de la Boësière-Thiennes. Although she had plans to finish and modernize the castle, these were not carried out and the castle fell into disrepair. So when she died in 1951 the castle had been standing empty for 27 years. Her heirs sold the ruinous castle to the municipality in 1953 after which it was torn down to basement level.

Today, only the basement floor remains, looking like a small concrete island. The site is freely accessible during daytime, but the basement can not be entered as it is used as a bat habitat. A curious remnant in a nice wooded area.

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Schilde Castle

Schildehof

Schilde Castle, locally known as Schildehof, lies south of the village of the same name, in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish region in Belgium.

Schilde Castle was probably founded somewhere during the 15th or 16th century, although some sources claim it dates back to the 12th century. In 1545 it was acquired by the Van de Werve family. At that time it was called Hof ten Broecke. It became known as Schilde Castle after 1559, when it became the seat of the lordship of Schilde.

By 1681 the castle seems to have been a rectangular complex with a freestanding square keep, which would have been the oldest part of the castle.

In 1723 Schilde Castle was sold to Paolo Jacomo Cloots. By then the keep had already disappeared. That same year Cloots was elevated to baron by the Duke of Brabant. Cloots soon died and between 1725 and 1733, his widow Joanna de Pret had the castle rebuilt into a more modern residence. At the same time a large French formal garden was laid out around the castle. She had the castle rebuilt again between 1755 and 1758.

The baroness died in 1764 and through inheritance the castle again came into the hands of the Van de Werve family. They, however, did not reside in the castle but choose to stay in their homes in Antwerp. The castle and garden dilapidated and in 1809 the Van de Werve's even provided for accommodation of 180 French soldiers in the castle. Later they seem to have regained interest in the castle as the garden was reshaped into an English landscape garden.

In 1834 the castle was inherited by Baron Henri van de Werve. He would be mayor of Schilde from 1871 until his death in 1924. Baron Henri was a bit eccentric and in 1871 commissioned a rebuilding of the sober 18th century castle into a more imposing and eclectic castle. The works continued until 1892 but were left unfinished. The reason for this is unknown, although legend has it that a fortune-teller had predicted that the baron would die when his castle was finished, so that may have been a reason.

In 1924 the castle was inherited by Baroness Françoise de la Boësière-Thiennes. Although she had plans to finish and modernize the castle, these were not carried out and the castle fell into disrepair. So when she died in 1951 the castle had been standing empty for 27 years. Her heirs sold the ruinous castle to the municipality in 1953 after which it was torn down to basement level.

Today, only the basement floor remains, looking like a small concrete island. The site is freely accessible during daytime, but the basement can not be entered as it is used as a bat habitat. A curious remnant in a nice wooded area.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 1122