Castle Smissenbroek

Former estate known as "Kasteel Smissenbroek" and also "Kasteel Keiberg," both names derived from the toponyms of the site. Castle domain of 17 ha southeast bordering the Geraardsbergse highway, south and west bordered by the Ettingebeek, a boundary stream with Scheldewindeke. On the site of the current castle, in the marshy "Hettingen," there was initially a manorial residence (possibly a hunting lodge) within a two-part rectangular enclosure with access gate and bridge; originally at least dating back to the 17th century, but there are no further historical data. In the 1740s, a new estate was built by Maelcamp on the old moated site, with the construction of an axial double access avenue and a castle park with lanes, moats, ramparts, and ponds in a geometric pattern. The Marquis of Rode, Rodriguez d'Evora y Vega, acquired the castle in 1808. Subsequently inherited by the d'Ursel family, who rented it out until 1/1/1988. Louis XIV-style castle with one floor and nine bays, under a mansard roof (slates) on an H-shaped ground plan and with a symmetrical elevation. Initially a water castle whose inner walls corresponded with those of the former upper courtyard, now largely filled in. Reconstruction of the castle after a fire in 1947 with new brick cladding on a base of sand and hard stone. List façades bordered by block and plastered corner bands. Corner risalits with decorative vase crowning on the roof. High rectangular windows with rebates and thumbs, in flat plastered frames. A pronounced central porch risalit of two stories marks the front elevation: described broad, plastered and blocked semicircular arch under a curved pseudo-pediment and crowning dome with decorative vase. Semicircular wing door in a sandstone frame with a broad hollow list, key, imposts, and nuts under a straight cornice. Adjoining framed mirror arched door window with wrought iron balcony railing. Similar portal bay in the rear façade (garden façade with terrace), but integrated into a white-plastered central risalit of three bays between block pilasters and a crowning triangular pediment. Parapet decorated with mirrors, architrave list on two sculpted consoles, and oculus in the pediment. Adapted interior. On the rear façade hangs a clock with the inscription: "ANNO 1679/ Gregorius Mallens m.f.". Two nearly identical, long outbuildings situated on either side of the forecourt of the castle. Likely former horse stables, carriage houses, and staff housing dating from the same construction period as the castle. Low rectangular wings of one floor and eleven bays under a pitched roof (black Flemish tiles). Brick and natural stone list façades with pilaster division, rectangular wall openings, and a symmetrical elevation. Three higher-ascending risalits with pseudo-pediment; carriage door and roof window in an arch with a broad hollow list between blocked corner bands. Flat plastered framings around windows and doors. Bell-shaped side top façades with blocked corner bands. The original 18th-century layout and arrangement of the castle park have largely been preserved, including the typically star-shaped lanes in the former walking forest. Preserved ice cellar at the western moat. Curved brick front façade (northeast) with a broad rectangular door under a sandstone lintel; door handles in sandstone blocks with the year 1784.

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