Top 20 Castles around Schelle

The region around Schelle offers a diverse range of historical sites. You can find traditional moated castles like Wissekerke Castle, which was later converted into a neo-Gothic style. There are also 19th-century brick forts such as Fort Steendorp and Fort Liezele, originally built to protect Antwerp. Additionally, you can visit remnants of older fortifications like the Graventoren in Rupelmonde, a tower that was once part of a 12th-century moated castle.

Yes, several castles in the vicinity boast beautiful parks and gardens. Wissekerke Castle features a 600-meter-long castle avenue lined with monumental beech trees, perfect for walking or cycling. Kasteel d'Ursel in Bornem offers a magnificent Renaissance-style park and French gardens, freely accessible from sunrise to sunset. Kasteel Hof ter Linden in Edegem is surrounded by a 50-hectare park with an ancient double avenue of linden trees, ponds, and woodlands, ideal for hiking and cycling.

Wissekerke Castle is noted as family-friendly, offering a beautiful park for strolls. Fort Liezele features a barefoot path along the edge of its fort pond, providing about 300 meters of fun for all ages. Kasteel Rivierenhof also has playgrounds for children within its large park domain.

Many castles offer interior visits. Wissekerke Castle has largely preserved interiors, including an Egyptian room and an Empire-style salon. Bornem Castle allows visits to its exquisite furnishings and historic carriages on specific dates. Kasteel d'Ursel provides guided tours of its beautifully preserved 18th-century rooms. It's always advisable to check the respective castle's website for current opening hours and tour availability.

Absolutely. Fort Steendorp has a unique 1.6 km hiking trail around its walls, though boots are recommended in wet weather and it's not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Kasteel Hof ter Linden's 50-hectare park is open for hiking. For more extensive options, you can explore the hiking routes around Schelle, which include trails like the 'Walking between ferry and vliet' or the 'Picnic spot at Laarkapel – Niels Broek loop'.

Beyond hiking, the region offers cycling and running. The park at Wissekerke Castle is great for cycling. Kasteel Hof ter Linden's park is also suitable for cycling. You can find numerous cycling routes around Schelle, such as the 'Middelheimmuseum – Cleydael Castle in Aartselaar loop'. For runners, there are running trails around Schelle, including loops like 'Next to the Vliet in Schelle – Laarhof Gatehouse'.

The Graventoren in Rupelmonde is open to the public and offers a 360° panorama of the entire region from its top. Fort Steendorp also provides viewpoints along its trail, allowing visitors to appreciate the historical structure and surrounding nature.

Yes, Fort Steendorp is officially protected as a landscape, historical monument, and nature reserve. It serves as an important wintering place for approximately 1,200 bats and is home to over 100 bird species, many of which breed on site.

The parks and outdoor areas of many castles, such as Kasteel d'Ursel and Kasteel Hof ter Linden, are generally accessible from sunrise to sunset, making spring and summer ideal for enjoying the gardens. For interior visits, it's best to check individual castle websites as opening times can vary seasonally. For example, Bornem Castle is typically open for individual visits from April to September and during school holidays.

Yes, Kasteel Rivierenhof in Deurne currently serves as a restaurant, offering lunch and dinner in its royal interior or on its terrace with pond views. Many areas around the castles, especially in nearby towns like Niel or Aartselaar, also offer cafes and pubs. For example, the area around Graventoren in Rupelmonde has nice cafes and terraces.

Bornem Castle, also known as Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is often described as a fairytale castle due to its charming turrets and steep gabled roofs. Its interior features exquisite 18th-century paintings and engravings, and the carriage house displays 40 historic carriages. The castle was built by the Spanish nobleman Don Pedro Coloma and still exudes its former grandeur.

Fort Liezele's museum is undergoing renovation. However, from May 1, 2023, it is expected to offer a brand new and exceptional museum experience. The barefoot path along the fort pond is already open and popular with visitors.