Kasteel van Ooidonk
★★★☆☆
Attribution: By Velvet (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Ooidonk Castle is the residence of the current Count t'Kint de Roodenbeke. A fortress was first built on the site of the present castle in 1230, intended to defend the city of Ghent and to fortify the river Leie.
After the original fortress was destroyed by Louis de Male, count of Flanders, Jean de Fosseux rebuilt and enlarged it from 1381 onwards, adding moats, so that the castle could only be reached by drawbridge, and strengthening the defences with four towers.
In the turmoil of religious wars the castle was destroyed twice, in 1491 and in 1579. After the fire of 1579 it was rebuilt again, and this building survives as the present castle.
After the original fortress was destroyed by Louis de Male, count of Flanders, Jean de Fosseux rebuilt and enlarged it from 1381 onwards, adding moats, so that the castle could only be reached by drawbridge, and strengthening the defences with four towers.
In the turmoil of religious wars the castle was destroyed twice, in 1491 and in 1579. After the fire of 1579 it was rebuilt again, and this building survives as the present castle.
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