Bouckenborgh Castle

Bouckenborgh Castle is a castle in the Bouckenborgh Park of the same name in the Antwerp district of Merksem. The name Bouckenborg is said to be a corruption of beech castle or beech mountain.
The domain itself was mentioned in ancient writings as early as 1532, first as a homestead. In the first half of the 16th century, a house of plaisance was built, later known under various names. The current neoclassical castle was built in 1810, but the two service buildings date from 1775. At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was converted into a retirement home. In 1971 the then municipality of Merksem became the owner and established a school for special education there. Later the castle got its current destination as a cultural center. In 1994-1995 the building was restored. The castle and the ring water are recognized as a protected monument and landscape.