Top 20 Castles around Diepenbeek

The water castle of Schoonbeek is a Renaissance castle built in a U-shape with a large garden. Next to the castle is a pond that flows into a moat, over which a drawbridge leads to the entrance gate. The oldest core of the castle dates back to the Middle Ages: in 1333 the castle belonged to the County of Loon. Herman Typots, bailiff of the Land of Grevenbroek and castellan of the Prinsenhof in Kuringen, married Margriet van Chiney, daughter of Dirk van Chiney, lord of Schoonbeek and Anna Vandenbosch of Gors-op-Leeuw. In 1573 their grandson Hendrik Typots was still lord of the castle of Schoonbeek. The Preston family from Ireland bought it in 1780. The next owner was the de Renesse family. Count Theodore de Renesse was mayor of Beverst and governor of the province of Limburg. Another descendant, Frédéric Alexandre Jean Marie Ghislain, Count de Renesse, born in Brussels on January 3, 1904, died unmarried in the castle on November 18, 1990. In 1991 the castle became the property of Count Thierry de Hemricourt de Grunne.

The story of Alden Biesen does not begin in Limburg, but at the scorching gates of besieged Acre. In 1190, German merchants built a field hospital there with the sails of their ships, intended for sick pilgrims and wounded crusaders. What began as an act of care and solidarity grew into the establishment of the Teutonic Order; a spiritual order of knights that was soon recognized by the Pope and the Emperor. In our region too, the Teutonic Order left its mark. In the thirteenth century, an impressive commandery was established in Rijkhoven near Bilzen: Alden Biesen, the headquarters of the bailiwick of Biesen, which managed dozens of properties in the region. For centuries, this domain was a center of power, wealth, and religious influence. But at the end of the eighteenth century, disaster struck. During the French Revolution, the property of the Teutonic Order was confiscated. In 1797, Guillaume Claes, the mayor of Hasselt, bought the domain and saved it from demolition. Nevertheless, it fell into disrepair, and in 1971, a severe fire destroyed almost the entire castle. Only the walls remained standing. Fortunately, the Flemish government intervened, and a thorough restoration followed. Today, Alden Biesen is once again a vibrant heritage site where you can relive the past in the castle, the garden, and the museum. Want to know more? Click through to https://www.alden-biesen.be/geschiedenis

This small castle is actually a neoclassical manor house with accompanying service buildings and a farm complex from the 19th century, situated in a wooded park in a landscape style with remarkable old oaks and beeches.

A Landkommande (command post) was a regional administrative and economic unit of a religious military order, primarily the Teutonic Knights. It served as: • an administrative center for the surrounding holdings (farms, villages, lands), • an economic base for financing military and charitable activities, • the residence of the Landkomtur (commander), who held regional leadership. Chronological development: c. 1220 --> Establishment of the settlement by the Teutonic Knights --> Beginning as a regional administrative and economic unit 13th–14th centuries --> Expansion into the central Landkommande of the Bailiwick of Biesen --> Establishment as an important administrative center in the area of what is now the southern Netherlands 15th century --> Consolidation of the Order's rule; Economic stabilization --> Securing income from agriculture and taxes 16th century --> Effects of the Reformation and religious conflicts --> Political and religious tensions, but the commandery continued to exist 17th century --> Baroque expansion into a representative castle complex --> Transformation from a fortified complex to a prestigious residence 18th century --> Golden age as the seat of the Bailiwick of Biesen --> Administrative center with cultural significance 1794–1795 --> French revolutionary troops occupy the region --> Expropriation of the Order's property, end of the Order's rule 19th century --> Private use and structural alterations --> Loss of the original administrative function 1971 --> Major fire destroys large parts of the complex --> Severe structural damage From the 1970s onwards --> Restoration by the Belgian heritage authorities --> Re-establishment as a historical cultural monument Today --> Cultural and event center used for exhibitions, conferences, concerts, and tourism

The ruins of Jonckholt are the remains of an old medieval fortified site located near Hoelbeek in the Belgian municipality of Bilzen (Limburg). Although relatively unknown compared to large castles, this location constitutes a valuable and hidden piece of heritage that testifies to the medieval feudal structure and history of the region. The Jonckholt site likely originated around the beginning of the 13th century as a fortified settlement of the County of Loon. During this period, several wooden buildings were built on an artificially elevated plateau around a rectangular courtyard surrounded by a moat and later by walls. In the 14th century, the complex was modernized with a stone enclosure: a rectangular structure with round corner towers at each corner and a surrounding moat that served as a defense. Around 1390, the fief was held by various noble families until it finally changed hands in the 17th and 18th centuries through marriages and transfers of ownership. During the 16th century, the fortifications were modified to better withstand firearms warfare, but after that, gradual decline began. In later centuries, Jonckholt was partially dismantled, and most of the superstructure disappeared, leaving only the foundations and parts of the old ramparts and walls. Today, the visible remains of Jonckholt are primarily archaeological structures and foundations. Excavations were carried out in the 1980s, uncovering the foundations of the walls and the four corner towers. This provides an impression of the size and structure of the medieval fortifications, but unlike some other castles, no large, intact walls remain. The ruins are nestled in the greenery near Hoelbeek, accessible via unpaved paths and often included in nature trails in the region. Its location, far from major roads and surrounded by trees and meadows, captures the imagination of those who appreciate tranquil historical sites. A well-known walking route that passes the ruins is called "Hidden Beauty": this route combines historical heritage with natural paths and picturesque areas of forest and meadow.

Beautiful avenue leading directly to the moated castle

You are not allowed to walk in this area without visiting the Landcommanderij Alden Biesen. Several hiking trails also run across the grounds of the Lancommanderij. Alden Biesen is usually free to enter. If events are taking place, you may have to purchase an entrance ticket. Check this in advance on the website https://www.alden-biesen.be

Kiewit Castle (not to be confused with Kewith Castle) is a small castle in Kiewit, located in the Kiewit Nature Reserve. It is a neoclassical mansion, built in the second half of the 19th century. Originally, this was an estate with several small farms. In 1868, Hubert Dominique Vroonen bought this estate. His son Emile had the mansion built. A park in English landscape style was also constructed. In 1944, the castle was badly damaged. The domain with mansion was bought by the municipality of Hasselt in 1953, and it rented it to the diocese of Hasselt until 1970, which had a meditation center there. From 1970 to 1974, it was occupied by the Trappistine sisters. After this, it was transformed into a public park with, among other things, a petting zoo, and in 1976 it was opened to the public. The country house consists of three bays and has two floors and an attic floor under a mansard roof. The middle bay has an entrance and a balcony resting on pillars above the entrance doors. Behind the castle are service buildings and housing for the staff. Behind that is a semi-enclosed farm whose core dates from the 17th century and was originally built in half-timbered construction.