Top 20 Castles around Schaerbeek
Best castles around Schaerbeek encompass a variety of historically significant estates and notable buildings within this Brussels municipality. While traditional medieval castles are not common, the area is home to architecturally rich mansions and chateaus. These structures reflect the region's diverse architectural styles and rich history, offering insights into past eras.
Best castles around Schaerbeek
- The most popular castles is Castle Pond, Tervuren Park, a historical site where a ducal castle once stood. This area offers a blend of historical significance and natural charm, ideal for walking and enjoying the scenery.
- Another must-see spot is The Prinsen Castle, a former residence of the Lords of Grimbergen. Visitors can explore the ruins of this 14th-century castle, located within the Prinsenbos.
- Visitors also love De Viron Castle, a Neo-Tudor style building now serving as the town hall of Dilbeek. This castle features 12 towers, 52 rooms, and 365 windows, reflecting its unique design.
- Schaerbeek is known for its historic mansions, chateaus, and architecturally significant public buildings. These range from former noble residences to impressive town halls, showcasing various architectural styles.
- The castles around Schaerbeek are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 260 upvotes and 55 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 20, 2026
Meise Botanic Garden
Highlight • Natural
But you can also discover a lot outside in the spacious garden. The hoarfrost glistens on dried fruit stands and grasses, the snow is heavy. The buds are already swelling, the kittens jumping, soon the snowdrops are ringing and the winterlings are turning blue - nature knows no standstill.
During the winter idyll from December 10th to January 8th, the garden is bathed in magical lights, light installations with music along a 3.5 kilometer long path will enchant you and (re) awaken your belief in elves and fairies. The garden is open until 11 p.m. on these evenings.
Our tip: A mulled wine in the orangery, the garden's self-service restaurant. The lord of the castle used to winter his "orange trees" and other exotic plants here - now you can warm up and strengthen yourself here.
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The Prinsen Castle
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Saint Hubert Chapel
Highlight • Religious Site
The chapel served as a place of worship for Tervuren Castle, one of the most important castles of the Dukes of Brabant.
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Mirror Pond with a view of the AfricaMuseum
Highlight • Lake
The Palais de l'Afrique quickly became too small, so Leopold II commissioned Charles Girault, architect of the Petit Palais in Paris, to build a new museum and redevelop the entire site. Leopold II died before the project was completed, and the museum was inaugurated in 1910 by King Albert I.
The museum was closed for five years, from 2013 to 2018, for major restoration and renovation work.
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Laeken Castle
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Tips from the Community
A beautiful place for rest and walking: you can stroll along it, enjoy the greenery and water, and it is part of the historical and natural charm of Tervuren.
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The veneration of Saint Hubert in Tervuren, the presumed place of death of the patron saint of hunters, dates back to at least the 16th century and is probably even older. Every year on the last Sunday in October, an open-air mass is celebrated there in honor of Saint Hubert, and horses and dogs are blessed to protect them from running amok.
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This castle has been a ruin since the end of WWII. Work is now being done to prevent it from collapsing further.
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The restoration of the castle ruins has started.
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The Castle of Laeken is one of the royal residences in Belgium. It is located in Laeken, part of the city of Brussels since 1921, in the north of the Brussels region. It is surrounded by a 120-hectare park, which also contains the Royal Greenhouses.
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Beautiful view of the AfricaMuseum. At the moment there are works so you can't go to the castle.
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The Saint-Hubertus Chapel is a chapel in the Park of Tervuren in the Belgian Tervuren. The chapel is a baroque castle chapel of the former Castle of Tervuren. It was built in 1617 according to plans by Wenceslas Cobergher on behalf of the Archdukes Albert and Isabella. Cobergher replaced the wooden chapel in front of the drawbridge with the current stone structure. According to legend, Saint Hubertus died at this location. (Wikipedia)
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Why not go to the Africa Museum?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of historic buildings can I expect to find in and around Schaerbeek?
While traditional medieval castles are not common directly within Schaerbeek, the area is rich in architecturally significant historic mansions, chateaus, and impressive public buildings. These structures, such as the Castle Pond, Tervuren Park, The Prinsen Castle, and De Viron Castle, offer a glimpse into the region's diverse architectural styles and history.
Which notable historical buildings are located directly within Schaerbeek?
Within Schaerbeek itself, you can visit the magnificent Schaerbeek Town Hall, an imposing Neo-Flemish Renaissance building known for its opulent interiors and historical stained-glass windows. Another significant site is Maison Autrique, the first house designed by Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, offering insights into early Art Nouveau architecture. The Maison des Arts (Château Eenens - Terlinden) is also a transformed neoclassical villa now serving as a cultural hub with open gardens.
Are there any traditional castle ruins to explore near Schaerbeek?
Yes, you can explore the ruins of The Prinsen Castle, a former residence of the Lords of Grimbergen. Its 14th-century ruins are located within the Prinsenbos, offering a historical experience amidst nature.
Are there family-friendly options among the historic sites and castles?
Many of the sites offer family-friendly experiences. For instance, Castle Pond, Tervuren Park is ideal for walking and enjoying scenery. The Meise Botanic Garden, which includes a historic castle, is also very family-friendly with its vast grounds and diverse plant collections. The Maison des Arts in Schaerbeek has gardens open to visitors, providing a peaceful escape for families.
What outdoor activities can I do near these historic sites?
The area around Schaerbeek offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, such as those in Josaphat Park, or longer routes like the Manneken-Pis – Brussels Town Hall loop. For cycling enthusiasts, there are road cycling routes like the Brussels - Brabant Forests Loop, and gravel biking options including the Sonian Forest loop. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking guide, road cycling guide, and gravel biking guide for Schaerbeek.
Are there any castles that are also active town halls?
Yes, De Viron Castle in Dilbeek is a Neo-Tudor style building that now serves as the town hall of the municipality. Similarly, the Schaerbeek Town Hall, while not a traditional castle, is an impressive historic building that functions as the municipal hall.
Which royal residence is located near Schaerbeek?
Laeken Castle, built in 1782, is one of the royal residences in Belgium. It is surrounded by a large 120-hectare park and is located in Laeken, just north of the Brussels region.
What is special about the Meise Botanic Garden?
The Meise Botanic Garden is one of Europe's largest and most biodiverse botanical gardens, featuring a historic castle with a 12th-century tower. It offers extensive outdoor gardens and impressive greenhouses, housing rare plants, cacti, and orchids year-round.
What architectural styles can I observe in Schaerbeek's historic buildings?
Schaerbeek's historic buildings showcase a range of architectural styles. The Schaerbeek Town Hall is a prime example of Neo-Flemish Renaissance. Maison Autrique is significant as Victor Horta's first Art Nouveau design, while the Maison des Arts began as a neoclassical villa. This diversity reflects the rich architectural history of the region.
Are there any specific tips for visiting the Schaerbeek Town Hall?
The Schaerbeek Town Hall is considered one of the most beautiful town halls in the capital. It offers free guided tours, providing an excellent opportunity to appreciate its opulent interiors, prestigious woodwork, and historical stained-glass windows. You can find more information about its history on Wikipedia.
What do visitors enjoy most about the historic sites around Schaerbeek?
Visitors frequently appreciate the blend of historical significance and natural beauty. For example, the area around Castle Pond, Tervuren Park is praised for its historical charm and scenic walks. The architectural details and rich history of buildings like the Schaerbeek Town Hall and Maison Autrique are also highly valued.
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