The origin of the castle is not clear. One of the great mysteries is the old name of the castle: Gelmel Castle. Who is Gelmel? Over the centuries, different answers have been given to this; According to some, Gelmel was a Hun, a Norman or the Vandal king Gilimer. In the 12th century, there was a Gelmele family in the Duchy of Brabant. Are they the first inhabitants of Gelmel Castle?

You can find Hoogstraten Castle in Gelmelstraat. Today, however, it is a prison, so a visit is unfortunately not possible.

(The attached aerial photo is from Wikipedia)

Triggered? Click through to visithoogstraten.be/ontdekken/cultuur-en-erfgoed/gelmelslot

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

April 7, 2025

The Penitentiary School Centre (PSC) - Hoogstraten is located in the Gelmelslot. This is an open institution. During the French Revolution, the Castle of the Lords of Hoogstraten served as a gendarmerie barracks and later as a beggar's den. In 1880 it became an agricultural colony and in 1931 the building was then set up as the current Penitentiary School Centre. The institution is only intended for convicts. They can work in workhouses and can follow a varied range of training courses. There is a strong community regime.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 60 m

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Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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