- Address: Kasteelstraat 40, 1750, Belgium
- Phone: +32 2 531 01 30
- Date of construction: circa 1236
- Founder: Gottfried Louvensky
- Working hours: from 10.00 to 18.00, Monday - closed
- Cost of visiting: 4 euros
Can you imagine the heart of Europe without ancient palaces, castles and manors? Agree, this is something from the category of the unimaginable. There were so many events on such a small patch of land! Certainly, when traveling on the territory of Belgium , do not bother to include in the route of your sightseeing tour such a majestic structure as the Castle of Gaasbek. You will stay under the pleasant impression of the seen old times and luxury.
A bit of history
Just 15 km from Brussels and just over 50 km from Leuven there is a wonderful corner, which will allow you to move to the past. Castle Gaasbek was built in the distant 1236 by the Duke of Brabant. Initially, he carried a certain protective function and was intended to protect the land from the encroachment of the nearest neighbor - the county of Hainaut. By the end of the fourteenth century, the building was badly damaged, and in connection with this the restoration began, which lasted for many decades. Already in the 17th century Gaasbek Castle was transformed: the chapel and the baroque pavilion were completed, the garden in the surrounding area was broken. However, the black strip in the history of the estate is designated 1695. It was then that the French troops almost completely destroyed the building. And only at the end of the XIX century Gaasbek Castle revived already on the territory of Belgium . The result of this long restoration can be observed to this day, because this monument of architecture no longer changed its appearance.
The exterior of the castle of Gaasbek
Even on the way to the building, watching its outlines from a distance, you already intuitively catch that the Renaissance reigns here. The exterior facade creates the impression of a formidable warrior who stands guard over the peace of his masters and has already seen a lot in his lifetime. Massive towers with sharp teeth on the walls and deep moats remind the visitor that the history of this place is not so easy and poetic as one would like to see it. At the same time, the inner facade gives away with some kind of softness of character, conveys the elegance of the subsequent centuries and the note of romanticism that the last owner of the estate, Arconati Visconti, bestowed on the estate. In general, Gaasbek Castle is an irregular polygon. The oldest elements of the building are a centuries-old foundation and one of the towers, whose construction dates back to the Renaissance.
Interior interior and decoration more relate to the XVI century. Among the numerous rooms you can see a marble bathroom with elegant carvings, carved furniture, striking precision, tapestries of Flanders, from which it is difficult to look away. In addition, one of the famous Breigel "Babel's Towers" found shelter in the castle, while all the rest are now among the exhibits of the museums of Vienna and Rotterdam.
Today Gaasbek Castle is the property of the Kingdom of Belgium . He became such after the death of the last owner, who in her will diverted all her property and lands for the benefit of the state. Now there is a museum in the Gaasbek Castle. Actually, he himself is one big museum, and all his riches, which have survived through the decades, are part of the exposition. The entrance is chargeable, its cost is 4 euros. However, you will not be allowed to wander alone around the castle - you will have to wait until a sufficient number of people gather for the excursion, which is attached to the ticket. Neighborhoods and a huge park are open to all comers from 08.00 to 20.00, while the museum's work is limited from 10.00 to 18.00. By the way, the entrance to the park is free.
How to get to Gaasbek Castle?
To the village of Gaasbek, in which the castle is located, you need to drive just over 6 km from the exit of highway 15a from the Brussels ring. If you travel by public transport , from the South Station of Brussels departs 142 bus, which goes to Gaasbek and Leerbek. Moreover, passengers can drive directly to the castle.
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