バールレヘルトグの洞窟・トップ10

The castle is surrounded by a moat and an estate of approximately 70 hectares, including meadows and farmland. The castle is not open to the public due to its function as a prison. In the past, the castle also played a role in the Eighty Years' War, where it played a significant role in the battle between Spanish and Dutch troops, according to BENEGO.

The former castle of Hoogstraten, also known as Gelmelslot, is a castle with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Today, the castle serves as a Penitentiary School Center (PSC), a penitentiary where inmates receive vocational training. The castle has served various purposes over the years. Built in the 16th century by Rombout II Keldermans, a renowned architect, it originally served a defensive purpose. In the 18th century, the castle was damaged by fire and later looted. After a period of decline, the castle was used as a beggar's asylum, agricultural colony, and refuge in the 19th century. Since 1931, it has been used as a Penitentiary School Center, the only penitentiary in Flanders where inmates systematically receive vocational training.

beautiful building in a beautiful location. The estate consists of ± 800 ha of forest and 370 ha of agricultural land and is owned by the Van Puijenbroek family. The core of the estate is formed by the two very old hamlets "Gorp" and "Roovert".

Landgoed Gorp en Roovert is a vast estate (1200 ha) with old deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, cultivated lands, heathland, fens and over a length of five kilometres a still meandering Rovertse Leij. We can still enjoy the wealth that was earned in the colonies with their slavery.

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.

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 https://visithoogstraten.be/ontdekken/cultuur-en-erfgoed/gelmelslot/

A beautiful neo-Gothic hunting lodge, also called 'The Castle'.

Neo-Gothic hunting lodge on the Gorp & Roovert estate, also called "The Castle".