Top 12 Castles around Vosselaar

Very beautiful castle almost in the center of Oostmalle and yet surrounded by tranquility

There are also often events held here.

Hof d'Intere is a Renaissance castle in Wechelderzande. It is located at Pastorijstraat 2 and dates back to 1649. The castle's name is older, dating from 1440, when Philip the Good granted the towns of Wechelderzande, Gierle, and Lille as a fief to Ambrosius van Dinther. The "laathof" (court) held its meetings in the local inn, which was called Hof d'Intere or Hof van Dynter, after the name Van Dinther. Later, this fief passed to Johan de Proost, lord of Wechelderzande. He built the current castle on the basis of an existing castle dating back to the 16th century. In 1686, it became the property of the pastor of Wechelderzande after Johan de Proost was forced to sell it. The house then served as a rectory from 1688 to 1964 and then as the town hall until 1977. This was when municipal reorganization took place, and since then it has been a municipal center with a library and park. In 1939, the building was classified as a protected monument. In 2019, it was announced that the library would be closed and that the municipality of Lille would reconsider the castle's future purpose.

On March 13, 1440, Philip the Good granted Wechelderzande, along with Gierle and Lille, as a fief to Ambrosius de Dynter. The court of justice, or the alderman's court, of the feudal lordship was therefore named Hof d'Intere. The court held its meetings in a village inn. The Hof d'Intere building was erected in 1649 by the lord of Wechelderzande, Jonker Jan de Proost or Johan de Proost. The newly built, impressive residence was named Hof d'Intere: partly because it was built on a plot of land that belonged to the fiefdom under the jurisdiction of the Hof d'Intere, and partly because Johan de Proost had acquired the rights to this fiefdom and was therefore entitled to use the title "Lord of Dynter." From 1686 to 1964, Hof d'Intere served as the parsonage of Wechelderzande. Later it served as the town hall of Wechelderzande until the merger in 1977. After that it was used for a while as the municipal council, reception, ceremony and wedding hall of the municipality.

The original castle was built in the 15th century by Willem van Berchem. In 1542, this castle was destroyed by Maarten van Rossum. Jan van Renesse built the current castle and the outbuildings a few years later. The architect was Hendrik Lambrechts. Many important people visited, such as Emperor Charles V, William the Silent and Margaret of Parma. In the following centuries, the castle was plundered several times and used as a residence for warring troops. Finally, it fell into disrepair. In 1793, the upper court and the farm were demolished. In 1830, the de Renesse family disappeared from the castle: Count Clément de Renesse-Breidbach sold the whole to Viscount Leonard du Bus de Gisignies. He had the service buildings converted into a country house. He also expanded the entire domain and had an English garden laid out in the park. Among other things, the giant sequoias were planted at that time. His son Bernard Amé du Bus de Gisignies and grandson Bernard du Bus de Gisignies continued to manage the domain. Bernard du Bus de Gisignies became mayor of Oostmalle. His daughter Isabelle married Count Maximilien de Renesse-Breidbach in 1896. The castle thus came back into the hands of the de Renesse family. In 1920, the castle was renovated in Flemish neo-Renaissance style. In 1941, part of the western wing was bombed to pieces by the British. This part was not restored. Later, Count Thierry de Renesse also became mayor of Oostmalle. After his death in 1973, negotiations began on the purchase of the castle by the municipality. In 1983, the municipality bought the castle and part of the domain. The Flemish Region bought the remaining 33 hectares. In 1985, the management of the castle and the entire domain was transferred to the specially established non-profit association Domein de Renesse. Since 1982, the castle has been protected as a monument.[1] Source: Wikipedia

A fairytale castle in the middle of the center of Welchel. You can dream from the driveway of a prince or princess of who knows what. Beautiful Renaissance castle from times gone by.

Philip the Good gave Wechelderzande, together with Gierle and Lille, as a fief to Ambrosius de Dynter on 13 March 1440. The court or the Laathof of the feudal lordship was then also named Hof d’Intere. The Laathof had its seat in an inn in the village. The Hof d’Intere building was erected in 1649 by the lord of Wechelderzande, Jonker Jan de Proost or Johan de Proost. The newly built, impressive residence was given the name Hof d'Intere: on the one hand because it was built on a plot of land that belonged to the feudal lordship under the jurisdiction of the Hof d'Intere and on the other hand because Johan de Proost had come into possession of the rights of this feudal court and was therefore also allowed to use the title 'lord of Dynter'. From 1686 to 1964, Hof d’Intere was the rectory of Wechelderzande. Later it served as the town hall of Wechelderzande until the merger in 1977. After that it was used for a while as the municipal council, reception, ceremony and wedding hall of the municipality. (Municipality of Lille)

The Castle used to be the hunting lodge of the Dukes of Brabant and now serves as a court. In the pond around the Castle you will see the statue of The Naiad, the goddess of all springs and rivers. The Naiad settled on the moat in 1991. Rik Poot designed the statue that makes us believe what the water nymphs from Greek mythology would have looked like. In Greek mythology you had Dryads and Naiads. The Dryads protected the forests and the Naiads the waters.