Opprebais Castle

Opprebais Castle, locally known as Château d'Opprebais or Kasteel van Opperbeek, lies in the village of the same name, in the province of Walloon Brabant in the Wallonia region in Belgium.

Opprebais Castle was built in the first half of the 13th century, or possibly at the end of the 12th century, likely by a local noble family. It is a square castle with round corner towers.

The first member of this family mentioned was Guillaume, at the beginning of the 13th century. His son, Arnould d'Opprebais, is noted in 1242. He married a daughter of the powerful Arnould de Walhain. Arnould d'Opprebais was succeeded by Henri d'Opprebais, also known as Henri de Beaufort. Henri owned the seigniory in 1245.

In 1362, a second Arnould d'Opprebais is recorded as a vassal of the Duke of Brabant. Then comes his illegitimate son, Jean d'Opprebais, followed by Robert and Jean de Thilly.

In 1438, Samson de Lalaing and Werner de Dave shared the succession of Jean de Thilly. In 1440, Opprebais Castle was mentioned for the first time, in a list of possessions by Samson de Lalaing. Later, Werner de Dave and his successors held the property.

In 1486, the seigniory was sold to Jean de Glimes. It remained in his family until 1660, when it was sold to the Dukes of Arenberg.

In the 17th century, a farm was built inside the castle walls.

Today, the remains of Opprebais Castle are still part of a working farm. It is private property and cannot be visited.

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