Westmalle Castle

Westmalle Castle, locally known as Kasteel Westmalle, lies just north of the village with the same name, northeast of the city of Antwerp, in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish region in Belgium.

To be honest, this isn't a 'real' castle. Westmalle Castle started out as a large farm around 1100 and stayed that way until 1449. It was the residence of the representatives of the Dukes of Brabant.

In 1449 the estate was sold by the Duke of Brabant to Henri van der Moelen; a member of the city council of nearby Antwerp.

Later the estate went to the family De Cottereau through marriage. It was Evrard de Cottereau who built the present castle in 1561.

In 1702 Westmalle Castle was claimed by the creditors of this family. The courts however returned it. In 1743 the castle was bought by JB. Powis whose family resided in the castle until 1847.

Between 1847 and 1874 the castle was owned by a diamond merchant from Antwerp; Lord Bovie. He altered and restored the castle. From 1914 until the present the castle is owned by the Van de Straeten-Waillet family.

Because Westmalle Castle is still private property, it can not be visited. So, although this may not be a 'real' castle, I still like its appearance.

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