Crombrugghe Castle - Deinze

As early as 1698, mention was made of a small castle on this site.

The property served as a country residence for the Lords of Drongen from the beginning of the 18th century. At the end of the century, ownership came into the hands of the Van Crombrugghe family, who had the brick castle renovated in a classicist style by the Ghent architect Minard in the period 1845-1847.

The coach houses and service residence also exude classicism. Initially all buildings were plastered, but this was removed in 1948. In addition, one can also find a gardener's house and orangery on the domain, largely preserved in their original state. Joseph Van Crombrugghe (1770-1842), also mayor of Ghent, was a plant lover who had the orangery built in 1845 to house his orange trees. He was one of the great promoters of the Floralies.

The domain of approximately 25 hectares is in landscape style. There is a pond with an island and a boathouse. There is a Lebanon cedar in the park. In front of the castle there is an imposing Empire fence and fence, probably from the mid -14th century , implanted in the perspective of the double lane to the Leernsesteenweg and closed there by an iron chain on four posts.

The Van Crombrugghe family played a role in Belgian politics and provided - until the merger with Deinze in 1977 - the mayor of Sint-Martens-Leerne. The family still owns the castle grounds.

Willem Vandenameele