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Bouchout Castle

★★★★☆

bouchout castle

Attribution: By Jean-Pol GRANDMONT - travail personnel, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=984421

Location
Meise, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
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Built
12th century

Most likely, the first fortification on the site was built by Wouter van Craaynem at the end of the Grimbergen Wars (1150-1170); the Donjon tower was added at about 1300.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle fell into disrepair due to lack of maintenance, while the Spanish dominance and the iconoclastic fury further worsened its condition. At the end of the 17th century, Peter-Ferdinand Roose transformed the castle into a Renaissance "Chateau de Bouchout", surrounded with French ornamental gardens. Unfortunately, the castle was partly destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars and had to be restored again in 1832 by count Amadeus de Beauffort, who gave Bouchout Castle its current Neo-Gothic appearance.
Since the last renovation of 1987-1989, the castle and its rooms are now being used for meetings, lectures and exhibitions.

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Latest Castle Stories

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Separate myth from reality as we explore what medieval dungeons really were — how prisoners were held, punished, and remembered.

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How war, politics, and Romanticism turned a once-great palace into a preserved ruin.

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