Court of Penningen

Hof ter Penningen.

In the meantime, you have crossed a line during your journey: the border between Zele and Hamme. You stand here amidst the beautiful greenery with magnificent avenues and the street sign mentions ‘the castles’. You would thus expect to glimpse a castle through the greenery, and until the beginning of the 19^th century, that could have been possible. For once there stood a moated castle estate: two large houses, a farm, a large barn with stables, and a brewery. Sources from 1448 and 1549 speak of it. Hendrik Metten Penningen, who probably also possessed the necessary coins, was the first mentioned proud owner, hence the name. For six generations, the castle remained in the family. Afterward, the estate changed hands several times among aristocratic owners. The noble lady Isabelle Thérèse Ferdinande, dowager (or widow) du Mont lived there until her death in 1780 as its last resident. And yes, you know what happens next, the building stood dilapidated for more than a hundred years, and in the 19^th century, it was decided to demolish it. Thus, you find yourself searching for it in vain now, but you can still enjoy the surrounding greenery.

Source: Yearbooks H.O.K. Zele

• nr. 1 (1969-1970); “In Zele-Hoek a chapter was closed” (E. Quintyn): p. 33-36
• nr. 10 (1978-1979); “The Durme then and now” (Prof. Dr. Marc Van Uytfanghe): p. 53-115
• nr. 49 (2018);
  • “A few more tidbits about the Durme” (Em. Prof. Dr. Marc Van Uytfanghe): p. 145-193
  • “The Fishbone in Zele-Hoek: a border case (Karel De Wilde): p. 195-218
• nr. 50 (2019); “Menheere Blaseius Goedt: the disappeared Hof Ten Penningen in St Anna (Karel De Wilde): p. 184-218

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