As promised, I’m providing a brief translation of the mainly Dutch information about the castle located close to the windmill.

The origins of Horst Castle can be traced to the 13th century, when its proximity to Leuven and location in the Winge valley made it of strategic importance. Travellers (and approaching armies) from Germany and Liege had to pass through this valley on their way to Mechelen and Antwerp. Part of the castle structure was built in the early 15th century, although some recently excavated parts of the structure date back to the 14th century.

The castle once probably formed an artificial island in the Winge valley, surrounded by wooden buildings and a palisade. The current structure stands as it stood in the 17th century, when Maria-Anne van den Tympel had decorative work done by J.C. Hansche, depicting various scenes from Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Hansche’s work on the castle supposedly include imagery from Gabriel Rollenhagen’s 17th century work, although I haven’t seen this yet.

After brief use as a school after the Second World War, the castle has not been occupied. A gallery of photographs of the castle can be found here.

Categories: General
No Comments »