Singelberg Motte (Beveren)

The Singelberg ("moat hill", a kind of motte) in Beveren is the oldest fortification in the country of Beveren and therefore closely linked to the origins of the municipality. Today, only the derelict hill on which the castle was built remains. In 1975, the Singelberg was protected as a landscape.

The Singelberg should be distinguished from the modern office complex Burcht Singelberg of the same name on Ketenislaan in Kallo, where the headquarters of Katoen Natie, located in the Waaslandhaven, is located.
The Singelberg, currently a derelict, eight-metre high, earthen hill located in the northwest of Beveren, approximately 2.5 km from the Market, is the only remnant and symbol of the historic place where the glory of the land of Beveren, the predecessor of the current municipality of Beveren, once arose. The original name of the Singelberg is Beverenbroeck, a water toponym that refers to the swampy wetland surrounding the earthen hill.

More information at nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singelberg

At the end of the 16th century, the castle played an important role in the context of "the Separation of the Netherlands". On August 17, 1585, the surrender of Antwerp at the castle of Beveren, headquarters of Alexander Farnese, was signed. We know what the castle looked like at that time from the pictures and a number of descriptions. This shows that it is a very extensive building, with spacious rooms and several towers. Given the continuing state of war, the castle is repeatedly used as a place to stay for soldiers. Partly because of this, the castle is gradually falling into disrepair.