スヘルデの洞窟・トップ20

The castle was built by the Spanish nobleman Don Pedro Coloma and still exudes its former grandeur. Philippe de Marnix, Lord of Sainte Aldegonde, was the right-hand man of Prince William of Orange. He played a key role during the siege and fall of Antwerp in 1585 while mayor of the city. He is also mentioned as a possible author of the Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem.

Wissekerke Castle...

Today, the castle is home to the Vrijzinnig Centrum Liedts (Liedts Free Centre), which gives the building a contemporary cultural and social function. The park, still open to the public, serves as Oudenaarde's green lung, connecting the rich history of the Liedts family with the daily life of the city. It's a lovely place to stroll.

Few buildings in the Waasland region hold such a mythical allure as the Graventoren (Counts' Tower) in Rupelmonde. The names associated with it certainly contribute to that. This tower, for example, is the remnant of a moated castle with no fewer than 17 towers, once owned by the Counts of Flanders. This colossal fortress protected the Scheldt River from attackers and conquerors. Mercator's Dungeon Mercator also plays a key role in this story. When he shared his revolutionary insights with the world, he was promptly sent to the dungeon by the church authorities. Guess where that dungeon was located? Exactly, in the cellars of the Graventoren. Here he was imprisoned for seven months, accused of heresy. A Bloody History Mercator, however, was not the only one to enter the cellars of the moated castle. Many dissidents suffered the same fate, and often worse. A stay in the dungeons of the Graventoren (Counts' Tower) often ended with a bloody decapitation. While the Counts of Flanders may have enjoyed legendary status in history, they were certainly not gentlemen. Count Robert of Bethune once even threw his own son in jail here, accused of high treason. A kind of chamber arrest before its time, you might say. At the end of the 17th century, the moated castle came to an end. The fortress was drastically destroyed, and the rubble was reused for other buildings. For example, the church of Rupelmonde was built with materials from the castle ruins.

When you say Rupelmonde, you say Mercator and the Graventoren. This historic tower is a former moated castle that is linked to a bloody history. The Graventoren was once owned by the Counts of Flanders. This colossal fortress protected the Scheldt from attackers and conquerors. Historical context: Mercator's dungeon Mercator also plays a leading role in this story. When he shared his revolutionary insights with the world, he was promptly sent to the dungeon by the church authorities. Guess where that dungeon was located? Exactly, in the cellars of the Graventoren. He was locked up here for seven months, accused of heresy. A bloody history However, Mercator was not the only one who saw the cellars of the moated castle from the inside. Many dissidents suffered the same fate, and often worse. A stay in the dungeons of the Graventoren often ended with a bloody beheading. The Counts of Flanders may have a legendary status in history, but they were not sweethearts. Count Robrecht van Bethune once even threw his own son in jail here, accused of high treason. A kind of room arrest avant la lettre, you could say. At the end of the 17th century, the curtain fell for the moated castle. The fortress was then drastically destroyed and the rubble was reused for other buildings. For example, the church of Rupelmonde was built with materials from the ruins of the castle.

Some local bars in this area. Good place to rest

Liedts Castle After the demolition of Oudenaarde's former city walls, part of this vacant land was sold to the prominent Liedts family. Charles Liedts, one of the founding fathers of Belgium, Minister of Finance in the mid-1800s, and one of the founders of the National Bank of Belgium, had a country house built there around 1860. Originally a white plastered castle, it was rebuilt in 1883 by his son, Amedée Liedts, in an eclectic style. The park, in the English landscape style, was largely laid out between 1865 and 1869. In 1907, the childless Amedée donated Liedts Castle, along with its library, art collection, and park, to the city of Oudenaarde, which opened the estate as a city park. Today, the castle is home to the VCL, the Liedts Liberal Centre. The park is open to the public and is the green lung of the city of Oudenaarde.

Beautiful park with ponds and café restaurant.