Westmalle Castle

Westmalle Castle, locally known as Kasteel Westmalle, lies just north of the village with the same name, in the province of Antwerp, in the Flemish Region of Belgium.

To be honest, this isn't a 'real' castle. Westmalle Castle began as a large farm around 1100 and remained that way until 1449. It served as the residence of the Dukes of Brabant's representatives and was originally called "Hoeve ten Driesse." In 1449, the estate was sold by the Duke of Brabant to Henri van der Moelen, a member of the city council of nearby Antwerp.

Later, the estate passed to the De Cottereau family through marriage. Evrard de Cottereau built the current castle in 1561.

In 1702, Westmalle Castle was claimed by the family's creditors; however, the courts returned it to the family. In 1743, the castle was purchased by JB. Powis, whose family lived there until 1847.

Between 1847 and 1874, it was owned by a diamond merchant from Antwerp, Lord Bovie, who restored the castle and landscaped the park. Baron E. de Turck bought the castle in 1878 and restored it again, giving it its current appearance.

From 1914 to 2024, the Van de Straeten-Waillet family owned the castle. It is now owned by the municipality, which plans to restore it again.

Westmalle Castle is currently inaccessible while awaiting restoration, but the castle park is freely open to the public. Although it may not be a 'real' castle, I still appreciate its appearance.

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