Castle of Herzele

The castle was probably founded in the 13th century as a fortified residence of the lords of Herzele.

In 1579 , the castle was partially destroyed by the Spanish during the Eighty Years' War, as a reprisal against the Protestant lord Pierre de Melun. After centuries of decay, the castle was protected as a monument in 1957. In 1969, Count du Parc Locmaria donated the castle to the municipality of Herzele, after which major restoration works took place between 1972 and 1977 .

The structure is surrounded by a wide, still partly water-filled moat , indicating that it was once a true moated castle – strategically built for defence.

Today we see a robust ring wall in natural stone, with openings that once served as loopholes or windows with remains of towers , including a round tower in the northeast corner. The courtyard , where the foundations of former residential and service buildings are visible, evokes images of daily life in the Middle Ages. Originally, the complex may also have had a drawbridge and wooden superstructure.

Willem Vandenameele