Top 20 Castles around Zoersel

Fort Kessel is a concrete armored fort built shortly before the First World War. Along with 29 other fortifications, it forms the outer fortification belt of the Antwerp fortress. The fort was built between 1909 and 1914 and modified during the interwar period (1934 and 1939). Until 1940, it played a role in the Belgian army's military defense strategy, first as an artillery stronghold and later as an infantry support point. The fort was demilitarized in 1947. Today, it is an important wintering site for bats. (Inventory of Immovable Heritage) And there is much more to do in and around the fort. Information can be found at https://fortvankessel.be

Generations of castle lords and the village community have cared for the magnificent heritage we have today. We must cherish this legacy with care. Everyone has a responsibility in this regard: the government, the owners, and certainly also the visitors. We all want to safeguard this for future generations. VORSELAAR: Proposal to protect the castle "de Borrekens", the rectory, the immediate surroundings of the castle, and the linden avenue as a village landmark. The castle was built in the thirteenth century as a military fortification for the Duke of Brabant, granted as a fief to the Lord Van Rotselaer. The latter gave the fortification, which had the character of a moated castle, the ground plan that can still largely be seen today. Little is known about its evolution since the thirteenth century. The castle is depicted in a print by Ertinger in the second half of the seventeenth century and published by Jacques Le Roy. This shows that the current castle's core still largely reflects this condition. The building's military character was lost in the eighteenth century, and it was converted into a "house of pleasure." This involved the demolition of several surrounding walls and defensive towers, and the moat separating the forecourt from the castle was filled in. Simultaneously or shortly before, several embellishments were carried out on the castle, with J.P. van Baurscheit as the architect. The buildings in the forecourt were constructed during the same period. In the 1850s and 1860s, restoration work was carried out in keeping with the fashion of the time. Several dormers, stepped gables, fireplaces, turrets, and battlements were added in the Neo-Gothic style. The interior was also altered during this period and in the same style. Although this renovation significantly altered the castle's appearance, the renovation itself is remarkable as a testament to the Neo-Gothic style that emerged in our region around 1850.

The castle has been the pride of Vorselaar for centuries. Around 1270, the first stone was laid by the knights of Rotselaar. The ground plan has been largely preserved to this day. The castle houses a treasure trove of history and stories, and has been inhabited by noble families all this time.

Very beautiful medieval castle in the middle of a beautiful forest. A real relief to come here and walk undisturbed.

Seeing this amazing moated castle on site was one of the highlights of the day. We were lucky that the sun was shining on the castle at just the right moment, so it looked really picturesque. The castle is far enough away from the forest, and the moat is wide enough, that it is not unlikely that you will be able to enjoy this. You can also drive behind the castle, but the prettier side is the front and left side.

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Here you can read about the following topics: - Trade route Antwerp - Cologne - Maison de plaisance - Beech and Linden Drive

Borrekens Castle, also called Borrekens Castle or Vorselaar Castle, is a moated castle in Vorselaar. The castle was built around 1270 by the Knights of Rotselaar (Arnolf van Rotselaar or Gerard van Rotselaar). The ground plan of this medieval castle, built from Grimbergen stone, was largely preserved throughout the successive construction phases. In 1678, the castle was rebuilt by Father Karel Eugeen d'Arenberg, whose family had acquired it from the House of Ligne (Jan van Ligne) via the family of Bergen (Cornelis van Bergen), and surrounded by stone ramparts. The castle consists of white sandstone from Grimbergen. A third and final renovation phase (1850-1860 or according to the land registry 1862-1885) took place under Philippe van de Werve (the then mayor of Vorselaar), who would give the castle its current neo-Gothic appearance. In 1911, the castle came into the hands of Baron Edouard Adrien de Borrekens, of the De Borrekens family, through his marriage to Marie-Eulalie van de Werve. He had a French garden laid out in the courtyard by John Juchem. The last resident of the castle was Baron Raymond de Borrekens, who died in 1998. It was then taken on a long lease by a family company.