Castle Pecsteen

The castle domain Pecsteen, originating in the early 18th century, consists of a castle in neo-Renaissance style from around 1900, with a straight avenue leading to it, two coach houses, and a partially preserved enceinte behind the castle. The estate was initially owned by Charles Martin de Cuyper, a lawyer in the Council of Flanders, and Anna Françoise van Waesberghe. In 1758, the domain was sold to a certain J. Andri, who sold it in 1783 to the wealthy burgher, entrepreneur, stockholder of the baronies Male and Vyve, clerk of the feudal court in Bruges, and treasurer of Damme, Charles Jean Dhont (1723-1798). Since Charles Dhont's marriage to Isabelle Claesman († 1768) and also his second marriage to Anne le Bailly (1751-1830) remained childless, the considerable inheritance of Charles Dhont was distributed at the end of the 18th century among the descendants of his brother. Thus, Anne Marie Dhont inherited the castle domain in 1798. She married Jacques-Philippe Pecsteen (1769-1849) in 1800, who would serve as mayor of Ruddervoorde from 1813 to 1830. From 1800 to the present, the castle domain has been continuously in the hands of the Pecsteen family. Around 1815, Pecsteen expanded the then residence with three towers, on the site of the current ones. In 1906, the castle was rebuilt by the provincial architect of East Flanders, Stephan Mortier (1857-1934), who designed numerous public buildings, preferably in the neo-Gothic style. The castle has since been inherited by his grandson Baron Raymond Pecsteen-de Meester (1867-1965), whose descendants still inhabit the castle. During World War I, the castle served as accommodation for the German Crown Prince. Originally, it featured rich detailing with park constructions, including a dog kennel with baking house, bridges, a playground with shelter, an ice cellar, a cement rustic cave, an acetylene factory, possibly also a boathouse. Currently, only a preserved cave and ice cellar remain.

Yvan Vandamme