Castle of IJse (Castle Isque)

Castle of IJse (also known as Castle Isque)

The castle is a partially walled estate in the center of Overijse. The current castle dates back to the 16th and 17^th centuries and has been renovated multiple times. Already in the Middle Ages, a fortress stood there and there was the lordship of IJse. The lords belonged to the Isque family and were vassals of the Duke of Brabant.

This family, however, became extinct in the male line. The last heiress, Maria d'Oisy, sold the lordship in 1335 to Johan I of Wittem from the Wittem family. Subsequent generations also lacked male successors, and the lordship came into the hands of the Hoorn family and later the Salm family.

During the Dutch administration, in 1824 the castle was purchased by Maurice de Le Hoye. The castle remained in the hands of the de Le Hoye family until 1937, after which it passed to a granddaughter, married to Louis Braffort, a professor at UCL, lawyer, and staff holder who died for the fatherland during World War II. From 1939 onwards, the castle was used successively by Belgian, German, and English soldiers. In 1948, the Belgian State bought the castle, restored it, and it is used by the Community Education, the Kasteeltje. In 1967, the protected 17^th century hunting pavilion collapsed after years of decay. In the 1970s, new school buildings were constructed on Stafh. Braffortlaan.

In the Land Improvement Plan (LIP) IJse Valley, the Flemish Land Company is planning significant environmental works for the castle estate and the pond. See here for New plans for the Castle of IJse.

Rotary Club Overijse-Zoniën