The castle is situated men in the village with the same name, east of the city of Bruges in Belgium.
The first castle at this location was probably built in the 9th century. It consisted of a tower and moated timber that served as a refuge against the Vikings.
A stone castle was built here in the 12th century by Filip van den Elzas, in Flanders. The castle was dedicated in 1166 by Thomas Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury, and served mainly to court for the accounts of Flanders.
During the French occupation the castle was garrisoned by French soldiers who were expelled by the army in the city of Bruges in 1302. In 1382 the castle was taken and consequently destroyed by the townspeople of Ghent. The castle was rebuilt only to be besieged and plundered again by the townspeople of Ghent in 1453. Still the castle was rebuilt, only to burn to the ground in 1472. The castle was rebuilt and livelihoods, the oldest part of the castle that now serves gate tower, dates from this time. In 1490 the castle was looted and damaged again, this time by the troops of Nassau account. During
English occupation the castle was bought by a English knight, Juan Lopez Gallo in 1558. Therefore, until the 20th century, the castle was more or less forgotten and passed through the hands of several noble families.
During the two world wars the castle was occupied by German soldiers. When they left the castle was in a ruinous state.
Its last owner nobleman, Baron de Pélichy Gillès, handed the castle over to the nuns of the Convent of St Trudo at Bruges in 1953. The nuns entered the castle a year later. A complete restoration followed that eventually in 1972.
Currently the castle is still used as a convent. It can be visited, but it was closed when I was there.
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