오스터젤레‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪20‬개의 동굴

Tucked away in Sint-Denijs-Westrem, near the Parkbos, lies the charming Borluut Castle. This neoclassical castle, surrounded by a stately park and a lime tree avenue, exudes history and tranquility. Once a summer residence for the noble Borluut d'Hoogstraete family, it is now a protected monument with a cultural function. The surrounding area invites a short detour: stroll along the old avenues, admire the architecture, and enjoy the tranquility that reigns here, despite its proximity to the city of Ghent. The castle is regularly used for artistic and social activities, but even without events, it offers a charming place to pause for a moment.

Tucked away in Sint-Denijs-Westrem, near the Parkbos, lies the charming Borluut Castle. This neoclassical castle, surrounded by a stately park and a lime tree avenue, exudes history and tranquility. Once a summer residence for the noble Borluut d'Hoogstraete family, it is now a protected monument with a cultural function. The surrounding area invites a short detour: stroll along the old avenues, admire the architecture, and enjoy the tranquility that reigns here, despite its proximity to the city of Ghent. The castle is regularly used for artistic and social activities, but even without events, it offers a charming place to pause for a moment.

The castle of Leeuwergem from 1762 is one of the most beautiful baroque castles in Belgium. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful garden with ponds. On the avenues around the actual castle domain you can walk freely to admire the baroque building from a distance.

Herzele Castle is a ruin of a moated castle, built in the course of the 11th century. It was the residence of the lords of Herzele and has been a protected monument since 1957. The castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times. In 1579, after destruction by the Spaniards, it was not rebuilt due to a lack of funds of the then residents, Prince Willem d'Espinoy and Ernestine van Arenberg. The ruin was sold, one tower was retained to assert the right of privilege. Restoration in 1972.

Original country house built by the Ghent architect L. Roelandt who owned the old "Goed ten Ast" in 1834 and drew the plans for his country residence on the south side of it. According to the land registry archives, it was completed around 1850. Subsequently adapted several times, including around 1900 and in 1920 by the then owner, the Ghent industrialist G. Van Oost. Current condition is the result of renovations in 1958 designed by architect F. Bonaert. Castle with appurtenances including a belvedere tower and greenhouses beautifully planted on the slope above the stream valley with a landscaped rose garden to the west and a park with ponds in landscape style, accessible via a gate on the Korte Aststraat, connected to the Lange Aststraat with monumental closure with iron chains between square pedestals with garden vases. More recent entrance gate on the village square of Mullem (Oudenaarde). (Immovable Heritage Inventory)

The castle has, among other things, a B&B. The castle is also a special location for events (company and wedding parties, receptions, ... Visits to the castle and park (for groups of at least 15 people) are possible by appointment. Entrance fees: Castle: €180/group + €50 for guide Park (15/5-15/10): €4.5/person Possibility to combine the visit with lunch or dinner. More information: https://leeuwergem.be/nl/index.php

The history of this courtyard goes back further than that of the castle that belongs to it. The "Neerhof van Elene", a fairly large moated castle with a drawbridge, already existed here in the 11th century. In the 11th or 12th century, the farm fell into the hands of the lords of Zottegem, who also owned the manor of Leeuwergem. Since then, the Neerhof, which served as the seat of the domanial and seigneurial rights over Elene and Leeuwergem, was called the 'court of Leeuwergem'. When a castle was first built near this Neerhof in 1425, it was given the name 'Leeuwergem Castle', a name that has been retained to this day. Interesting video simulating what the courtyard must have looked like around 1420: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lscZhifrGA&ab_channel=VisualDimensionbvba Sources: https://historical landscape.wordpress.com/2020/07/21/het-kasteel-van-leeuwergem-rond-1420/

The "de Gerlache" after which the castle - officially called "Den Ast" - is often called is Gaston de Gerlache, mayor of Mullem for 3 legislatures, but above all an explorer. In 1957-1958 he led the second Belgian expedition to Antarctica, 60 years after his father led the first with the Belgica. During this second expedition, in which the Polarhav and the Polarsirkel took them to Antarctica, the King Baudouin base was established there. During the next expedition, led by Guido Derom, a 2,400 meter high mountain in Antarctica was named after Gaston de Gerlache. Another fact about the castle: an emperor penguin, Hans, brought along from the expedition, who was housed in the Antwerp Zoo, was given a place in the castle after his death. Sources: Wikipedia https://www.kruisem.be/kasteel-de-gerlache-huise