Laarne Castle is located in the same village, east of the city of Ghent in Belgium. The first castle at this location was built in the 11th century as part of a defense line around the castle Gravensteen sir. When the Chevalier Diederik of Alsace returned from his crusade to the holy relic of the blood in 1157, he retired to the castle of Laarne. In 1362 on behalf of Flanders has given permission to house a garrison in the castle. It was the cause of several seats.
The present castle has two faces: on the one hand it is a medieval castle and one part is a seventeenth century mansion. This castle is now building sandstone Balegem. Subsistence square, 3 circular towers with roofs (flame retardants) and pyramid-shaped stone and curtain walls were built in XIV century. In sixteenth century
parts curtain walls have been reconstructed as living quarters. In 1583 the castle was severely damaged during the wars of religion. Also in 1640 a lot of rebuilding has taken place, the drawbridge was demolished, the medieval gatehouse was converted into a service building and the entrance to the castle was moved to the northeast. At the same time the front-walled courtyard has been built on the side of the new entry.
The castle underwent extensive restoration in the 60s. It now houses a collection of silver and there is a large restaurant in the buildings on the forecourt.
is a very nice castle, especially because of its two faces. Too bad it was closed when I visited.
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