Top 8 Castles around Roeselare

For centuries, Mariënstede Castle was the residence of the noble de Croix family. However, it is not certain whether Knight Jan van Dadizele lived here. In June 1699, Ignace Ferdinand de Croix (1660-1745) had the castle of the Bleutour estate (Berquin, northern France) demolished stone by stone and transported here by workers from Dadizele to build a new castle. Due to a lack of stone, he established two brickworks in Dadizele to ensure sufficient material. The building was completed in the early 18th century. During World War I, it was captured by the Germans and severely damaged by Allied bombardments in the summer and autumn of 1917. After the war, the right wing was demolished. The castle became much smaller in size. In 1953, the de Bouillé family sold the entire estate to the Diocese of Bruges. Maria Assumpta became a retreat house for priests. The arches on the facade, the chapel on the right, and the outbuilding on the left date from that period. In 1985, Mariënstede became a residential and work environment for adults with disabilities. Château Superette, a shop selling fair-trade products and products made by the residents, serves as the ideal link between the local population and the castle's residents. In January 2015, the canopy was demolished, and the facade regained its former charm. Source: toerismedadizele.be

very nice and quiet area

In the garden of the castle of Ingelmunster there are two human figures built from blocks of rough stone. It is a work by the British artist Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003). I do not know the title, but I would guess "Two Watchers", because Chadwick made a series of similar (mainly bronze) works to which he always gave this title. Website of the artist: https://lynnchadwick.org/

Today, parts of the castle are rented out as a venue for corporate events, seminars, parties, and more. Extensive work has been carried out for this purpose over the past quarter century. Mr. Marc Van Honsebrouck, who died last year at the age of 89, had lived in the castle with his family since 1986, and had already commissioned renovations around the turn of the century. But disaster struck shortly afterward. On September 20, 2001, at 1:45 a.m., a fire broke out. Fortunately, Mr. Marc and his family managed to escape, but the entire left wing, both the ground floor and the upper floor, was completely destroyed. Although the fire department arrived very quickly, many priceless works of art were lost in the fire. The building itself suffered greatly, but the skill of the firefighters managed to stop the all-consuming flames. The grief over this terrible event was palpable far beyond the castle grounds. In 2012, Mr. Marc Van Honsebrouk decided to take over the castle's entire care and bought out his brother, who had been co-owner until then. His plan was to breathe new life into the castle, which had only been made wind- and watertight after the fire. The result of the past few years is the magnificent halls that shine again. Sources: https://kasteelvaningelmunster.be/ https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230824_96366895

The origin of the name "Ingelmunster" most likely lies in the history of this castle. The castle was built on the ruins of a seventh-century monastery. In 740, the monastery was reportedly inhabited by English monks, who gave it their name: Anglo Monaterum, Engelmunster, or Ingelmunster, meaning "Monastery of the Angels." In 855, the monastery fell prey to the Normans, the feared rulers of the sea. They plundered and burned the monastery. Little more than a ruin remained of the "Monastery of the Angels." The first Flemish ruler to establish a political presence in West Flanders was Robert I the Frisian, the tenth Count of Flanders. His reign lasted from 1071 to 1093, and he had the fortified castle built on the site of the ruins. Ingelmunster's location, on the doorstep of West Flanders and along the waterway that crossed the military route between Kortrijk and Bruges, was of such strategic importance that it was called the "Key to Flanders." Ingelmunster Castle, which at that time was still a veritable "lock," offered the key to unlocking a tactical advantage. Source: https://kasteelvaningelmunster.be/historiek-kasteel/

The 10-hectare English-style park surrounding the neoclassical Blauwhuis Castle is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There are three entrances: the main entrance on Gentseheerweg, an entrance via Kasteelstraat, and one via the walking and cycling path between the fire station and Emelgem Bridge. Source: https://www.toerisme-leiestreek.be/nl/kasteel-blauwhuis-0

to eat and walk

The castle belonged to the Gillès de Pélichy family in the 19th and 20th centuries and were closely associated with the well-being of the town of Izegem. https://www.blauwhuis.com/