Laarne Castle

Laarne Castle, locally known as Kasteel van Laarne, lies in the village of the same name, in the province of East Flanders in the Flemish region in Belgium.

The first castle at this site was built in the 11th century as part of a defensive line around Gravensteen Castle in Ghent. When Count Thierry of Flanders returned from his crusade with the relic of the Holy Blood in 1157, he retreated to Laarne Castle. In 1362, the Count of Flanders received permission to house a garrison in the castle. This led to several sieges.

The current castle has two personalities: one as a medieval fortress and the other as a 17th-century manor. It is constructed from Balegem sandstone. Its square keep, three circular towers with pyramid-shaped, stone (fireproof) roofs, and the curtain walls were built in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, parts of the curtain walls were rebuilt into living quarters. In 1583, the castle was heavily damaged during the wars of religion. In 1640, significant rebuilding occurred; the drawbridge was demolished, the medieval gatehouse was converted into a service building, and the entrance was relocated to the northeast. At the same time, a walled forecourt was built in front of the new entrance.

Laarne Castle underwent a major restoration in the 1960s. It now houses an important silver collection, and there is a restaurant in the buildings on the forecourt.

Today, the castle is open for visitors during the summer months for a fee. It is a very beautiful castle, especially because of its two contrasting faces.

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