Poeke Castle

There was already a feudal castle on this site in the Middle Ages , but the current building largely dates from the 18th century .

Poeke Castle exudes romance and grandeur. It is completely surrounded by a wide, quiet moat, which places the building on an island, as it were . Access is via an impressive stone bridge with wrought iron railings, which leads to an elegant entrance gate with baroque flair.

The facade is symmetrically constructed and covered with light-coloured plasterwork , which gives the building a soft, elegant appearance. The many high windows, often with shutters and decorative frames, provide a stately appearance. Above the entrance is a coat of arms , reminiscent of the noble residents of the past.

At the corners of the building are two round towers with pointed roofs, which creates an almost fairytale atmosphere. The roofs are covered with slates and finished with wrought iron ornaments. The small turrets and chimneys also contribute to the picturesque silhouette of the castle.

As soon as you pass through the heavy wooden entrance door , you enter a world of faded glory, historical grandeur and quiet elegance . The interior of the castle exudes the atmosphere of the 18th and 19th centuries, with richly decorated salons, high ceilings and stylish details. You enter a spacious entrance hall with a monumental staircase in white marble , framed by graceful wrought iron. The various salons are decorated with stucco in rococo or neo-style , wooden panelling and old fireplaces in marble or natural stone. Some rooms still have wall paintings or frescoes depicting scenes from classical antiquity or pastoral landscapes.

Occupied by German troops during WWI. Military use again in WWII. In 1977 it was purchased by the municipality of Aalter

The domain around Poeke Castle is a vast and picturesque park of more than 50 hectares , where nature and history meet in harmony. The long lanes, lined with ancient oaks and beeches, lead you to the castle that appears like a silent prince behind the foliage.

Around the castle stretches a classic landscape garden, laid out in English style , with graceful ponds, winding paths and wide lawns. The moat around the building reflects the facades like a natural mirror and gives the whole a fairy-tale appearance.

Here and there you will discover small bridges, romantic vistas and old outbuildings hidden among the greenery. In spring, daffodils and spring flowers bloom in the grass, while in autumn a golden carpet of leaves decorates the paths.

Legends circulate about a "white lady" who is said to haunt the estate, which also gives the castle a mysterious edge. Especially on misty mornings, the castle takes on an almost magical atmosphere.

According to tradition, Poeke Castle is inhabited by a ghost: the White Lady . She is said to appear on the estate at night, especially when it is foggy or at full moon. Her appearance is soft and silent, wrapped in a long white dress, with a veil over her face. She wanders through the corridors of the castle, over the bridge, or between the trees of the park, as if she is looking for something… or someone.

There are several versions of the story , but one of the most famous says that she was once a young noblewoman, in love with a man of lower birth . Her family forbade the marriage, and in her grief she is said to have thrown herself into the water of the castle moat. Since then her soul is said to have found no peace.

Other stories claim she was a servant girl who met with tragedy within the castle walls—betrayed, murdered, or died of heartbreak. Whatever her origins, the legend remains the same: anyone who sees her feels a chill down her spine and sometimes hears soft whispers on the wind.

Willem Vandenameele