Blauwendael Castle

Blauwendael Castle, formerly also known as Blauwhof Castle. Site formed by the castle "Blauwendael" with park protected as village view, castle and outbuilding are protected as a monument by Ministerial Decree of 16.07.1987. The current castle (1889-1890) in eclectic style is located in the middle of an older domain that belonged to the noble family de Neve de Roden from its inception. Pieter de Neve, stadtholder and high bailiff of the Land van Waas, who was housed with his wife and children on the Kerkstraat, had a mansion with moat built in the back in 1607-1608 on land that extended to the Gentstraat. Initially called "het Huys int midden van't Durp", it was named "'t Hof van Blauwendael" in the second half of the 17th century. Sketches of the evolved noble residence are known from 1610, 1668 and around 1700. They illustrate that the mansion included a landscaped garden, forecourt, orchard and outbuildings. Under Baron Henri Philips de Neve, works were undertaken around 1820 to adapt the estate to the taste of the time; A number of constructions were demolished and perhaps new ones such as the Orangery were erected. Knight Emile de Neve de Roden and his wife Emma de Bueren had the old Hof Blauwendael demolished and a new castle built there (1889-1890) designed by architect Jozef De Waele (Ghent) and executed together with contractor Charles Mortier (Ledeberg). At the end of 1940 the domain was sold to Henri de Lovinfosse (owner of the Manta factory). The municipality of Waasmunster purchased Blauwendael in 1980; In 1981, the castle park was opened to the public as a walking park. Since 1984, the castle itself has been given several new uses: ground floor partly reserved as a reception and wedding hall of the municipality and a caretaker's house, exhibition space on the first upper floor, Waasmunster's local museum housed on the second upper floor and attic.

jimmy NACHTEGAEL