Castle Hovorst

Surrounded and hedged castle in the ashes of a beech avenue, iron gate between brick pillars with top vases, wooded park. Hovorst has been almost continuously owned by the Van de Werve family since around 1400. The former castle, according to an old map from 1618 and an etching by Frans Ertinger published by J. Le Roy in 1694, appears as a water castle with two buildings standing at right angles to each other in the southeastern corner. The castle was completely walled with three round towers on the other corners; the gatehouse over the drawbridge was also fortified and had two round towers. In the third quarter of the 17th century, the new owner Paul Melchior de Villegas had the castle renovated, presumably the east wing (core of the current castle) was built at that time. Later, the fortified character disappeared and the ramparts and towers were demolished. In 1802, Hovorst was purchased by P.J. de Bruyn, who renovated the castle in Empire style and partially had the moats filled in; only the eastern main building was preserved. The current appearance of the castle was achieved during the renovation of 1913-14 according to the design by architect Pierre Langerock.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen