Castle de Gerlache

Castle de Gerlache, also known as Castle den Ast, is a castle in the Belgian municipality of Kruisem in the district of Huise right on the border with Mullem, a district of Oudenaarde.

The building was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century by Georges van Oost in French style and features a mansard roof. During the First World War, a watchtower was built on the estate. An old chapel, which was a well-known pilgrimage site until the French Revolution, was incorporated into a corner of the castle wall. Additionally, there is a chicory dryer, hence the castle is also referred to as den ast.

A notable resident of the castle was Gaston de Gerlache, son of Adrien de Gerlache, Belgium's most famous Antarctic explorer. Son Gaston was married to Lily van Oost, the daughter of builder Georges van Oost. He served as mayor of Mullem for eighteen years, with his wife Lily serving for six years, until the merger in 1976.

The castle houses items that commemorate the expeditions of father and son: the china and silver coffee pot from the Belgica, the snowshoes of Adrien de Gerlache, maps and onboard instruments, including Emperor penguin Hans, which Gaston de Gerlache brought from the South Pole and which resided for a time in the Antwerp Zoo.

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasteel_de_Gerlache

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