Moated Castle Hof van Veltwijck

The Hof van Veltwijck, built in the 16th century, was never a fortified castle, but a watered-down pleasure garden, a "huys van plaisantie". Numerous pleasure gardens arose in the vicinity of the large trading towns, where they were built as country residences by distinguished merchants and wealthy patricians. The associated gardens of these pleasure gardens were also furnished and decorated with typical ornamental plants and trees that were imported from foreign regions. The garden of the Veltwijckhof was also planted with exotic plants, trees and shrubs.
Veltwijckpark is now accessible to everyone.

Complex in traditional brick and sandstone style, consisting of a U-shaped moated castle from the 16th century, located within a rectangular moated landscape park, and a U-shaped courtyard on the north side with a central gatehouse, connected to the Veltwijcklaan by a cobbled lime avenue.

It is not known with certainty when the Veltwijckhof was built and by whom. A deed dated 3 November 1545 mentions the forced sale of a farm with a moat around it by Maria Happaerts, wife of Anthonio de Mescua. The buyer was Aert van Veltwijck. No castle is mentioned in this deed.A letter from Ekerse aldermen dated 15 June 1564 mentions "... a playhouse, upper court, and lower court ... and a farm situated next to the playhouse...". From this it can be deduced that it is more than likely that the first known lord of the Veltwijckhof, Aert van Veltwijck, was also its builder. During the siege of Antwerp (1584-1585) the complex became vacant and fell into disrepair.