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Belgium

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Holsbeek

Horst Castle

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Castles

Belgium

Flanders

Flemish Brabant

Leuven

Holsbeek

Horst Castle

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Location: Holsbeek, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Horst Castle

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1. Castle of Horst route

12.9km

03:24

120m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.8

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2. Gempemolen Watermill – Troostembergbos loop from Sint-Joris-Winge

10.4km

02:44

90m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.8

(107)

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3. Between the fields – Troostembergbos loop from Sint-Pieters-Rode

10.2km

02:41

90m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Willem VS

July 31, 2020

(This moated castle is located in the green valley of the Wingebeek, between the hills of the Hageland.)

The Lords of Horst already lived here in the 13th century, the characteristic square keep dates from the 15th century.

In the 17th century, the noble resident, Maria-Anna van den Tympel, had two wings added around the courtyard and carried out important embellishment works.

She also had the carriage house built, where the visitor center with heritage shop and a cozy regional inn are now located.

The castle, with its large pond and moat, is the home of the cartoon character De Rode Ridder by Willy Vandersteen.

A beautiful castle estate extends around the castle, which is owned by the Agency for Nature and Forests.

Dogs are allowed on the castle grounds, but not in the castle itself.

The castle is difficult to access for wheelchair users and buggies

Translated by Google •

May 20, 2025

Since December, there has been a spire on the castle again after the unstable spire was removed more than four years ago and could be viewed on a wooden platform in the pond. Now it is back. And the other works are also progressing quickly. More about the replaced spire on vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/12/10/torenspits-staat-weer-op-kasteel-van-horst-holsbeek

Translated by Google •

May 20, 2025

The core of Horst Castle probably dates back to the 13th century and is characterised by a square keep. The keep probably belonged to the oldest core that was further expanded into a fortified castle in the 15th century.

During the troubles under Maximilian of Austria in 1489, the castle of Horst was taken by the people of Leuven and set on fire. According to literary sources, only the keep, part of the entrance gate and a defensive wall remained standing.

The residential and east wing were renovated and expanded in the 16th century. The round tower also dates from this period. The outer wall was provided with a rectangular bay window. The castle lost its military character and became more of a pleasant residential area with a view of the moat, the ponds and the inner courtyard. Brick construction with sandstone layers characterise these buildings.

In 1587, however, the castle was set on fire again during the raids of the Geuzen. It was not until the beginning of the 17th century that restoration work began. It is difficult to deduce from the available sources to what extent this involved restoration or an embellishing conversion of the castle complex. Presumably nothing changed in the internal structure, but only after the structurally necessary repairs were the interiors completely refinished.

Maria-Anna Van den Tympel had a new chapel built against the keep in the 17th century.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the complex must have been damaged by plundering and neglect, and it is possible that it also suffered from plundering during the Brabant Revolution of 1830.

Around 1850, the castle must have been habitable again, but the castle buildings only served as a farm. In the land registry, the site around the castle is called "De Notelaren Boomgaerd". Around that time, the most dilapidated part must have been demolished, namely the southern part and the superstructure of the gate. The rest of the complex was probably restored with reused demolition material and in traditional style.

The castle was divided in 1880, with one part being registered as a school house. In 1897, a further division followed, with two plots being designated as houses. Several restoration campaigns followed in the 20th century.

Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Horst Castle, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/43619

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 30 m

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Location: Holsbeek, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

Horst Castle

1. Castle of Horst route

2. Gempemolen Watermill – Troostembergbos loop from Sint-Joris-Winge

3. Between the fields – Troostembergbos loop from Sint-Pieters-Rode

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