Castle Altena

So-called "Kasteel Altena". A moated castle built in 1594 to replace the castle that was destroyed ten years earlier. Until 1850, it remained in the possession of the Lanfranchie family, and then came into the hands of Eduard Pieter Filip, knight le Boucq de Beaudignies. In 1878, it was restored and enlarged by burgrave Julius le Boucq de Beaudignies according to the design of architect Joseph Schadde (Antwerp) (see commemorative stone on the right side facade "HAS EDES Reaedificavit Vicecomes Julius Philippus Maria le Boucq de Beaudignies. architect Jos. Schadde. Anno MDCCCLXXVIII."). It is now converted into a nursing home served by the Sisters of Saint Vincent à Paolo. Brick and sandstone building on a sandstone plinth, with two stories under slate roofs. Lively accents created by round and octagonal turrets, crenellated wall sections, dormers, and side facades with stairs, and sandstone stringcourses and window crosses. The front facade (garden side) features a polygonal projection on the left, a staircase tower in the middle, and an open gallery on the right half consisting of three sections for the entrance. The cellar is in the back facade (overlooking the water) with two stories and six + one sections, marked at the corners by round towers (small on the left; large on the right). The park includes a few modern service buildings and is accessed through a gate with classical granite columns topped with ornamental vases.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen