Sterckshof Castle

Sterckshof Castle, locally known as Kasteel Sterckshof, lies in the city of Antwerp, in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish region in Belgium.

The first mention of a structure at this site dates back to the 13th century, when there was a fortified and moated farm here, called "Hooftvunder". It was probably used to defend a nearby wooden bridge over the Groot Schijn stream.

During the next centuries the farm grew into a larger manor until 1524, when it was bought by Gerard Sterck, a merchant, banker, and advisor to Emperor Charles V. He had the manor rebuilt into a Renaissance style castle. From then on it was called Sterckshof (Stercks' Court).

The Jesuits from Lier possessed the castle from 1693. When the order was abolished, the castle was sold at a public auction, in 1778, to a banker Jan Baptist Cogels, who merged it with his neighboring estate of Ter Rivieren.

In 1921, the Antwerp Provincial Council bought the Ter Rivieren estate with the intention to transform it into the present Rivierenhof Park. By then only a one-story front building with one tower, the entrance gate and a few outbuildings of the Sterckshof were still standing. Plans to rebuild the castle were drawn up the next year. During the 1930s then, it was completely reconstructed, based on historical images and archaeological excavations, and given its present appearance. Interior architectural elements, taken from demolished mansions in the Antwerp city center, were incorporated in the castle in the 1950s.

The castle has had a museum function until 2014 when the last museum moved out, because they were unable to expand on the site due to planning restrictions. Since then the province is looking to find a new use for the castle or a buyer.

At present, Sterckshof Castle can only be admired externally. So, although this not a true castle and mainly a 20th century reconstruction, I still like its appearance.

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