Borluut Castle

Borluut Castle is a historic residence in Sint-Denijs-Westrem, a district of Ghent, Belgium, standing on Kleine Gentstraat close to the old village centre. Surrounded by an extensive landscape park, the neoclassical mansion ranks among the more notable heritage sites on this side of the city.

Where does the name come from and who owned the estate first?

The land on which the castle stands is documented as early as 1411, appearing in the feudal register of the Sint-Pieters abbey. From that point the estate stayed in the hands of the Borluut family for more than three centuries, which is where today's name originates. On the eighteenth-century Ferraris map the property was still recorded under a different name, "Wit Kasteel" — the White Castle — suggesting that an earlier building looked quite different from the one visitors see today.

How did the current building come about?

The Borluut family lost the estate in the mid-eighteenth century, and ownership changed hands several times until 1858, when the property passed to the family of Count Balthazar Borluut d'Hoogstraete. It was at this point that a thorough rebuilding was commissioned: designed by garden architect J. Van Damme-Sellier, a neoclassical mansion was raised, conceived as a summer residence. The building did not reach its present form at once — in 1866 an iron terrace with a canopy was added, and in 1914 the distinctive tower went up, still the most recognisable feature of the silhouette today.

What is worth seeing in the surrounding park?

Around the mansion lies a large, romantic park, laid out around the turn of the twentieth century. Within its grounds, fragments of a late-medieval moat have survived — remnants of a much older, defensive layout that was folded into the later landscape design. The park is defined by winding paths and serpentine ponds, while the tree stock includes exotic specimens, among them an impressive cedar of Lebanon, a planting choice typical of landscape gardens from that period and one that lends the whole estate a picturesque, slightly secretive atmosphere.

Who looks after the castle today?

The estate's fortunes shifted again in the second half of the twentieth century. In 1978 it passed into the ownership of the City of Ghent, marking a new chapter in its history — from private residence to part of the city's public heritage. That status was formally confirmed in 1997, when both the building and its surrounding park were listed as a protected monument.

Why is it worth a visit?

Borluut Castle brings together several layers of history: medieval origins, a nineteenth-century neoclassical rebuild, and twentieth-century additions that gave the building its current, tower-topped shape. This combination of residential architecture with a well-preserved historic park makes it an interesting stop for anyone exploring the outskirts of Ghent, particularly those curious about the history of local noble families and Belgian landscape garden design.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Borluut Castle located? In Sint-Denijs-Westrem, a district of Ghent, on Kleine Gentstraat, near the former village centre.

How far back does the estate's history go? The first written mention dates to 1411, though the current building is considerably younger.

When did the castle take on its present appearance? The main rebuild took place around 1858, with further additions in 1866 and 1914.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, since 1997 both the building and the park have held protected monument status.

Who owns the estate today? The City of Ghent, which has owned it since 1978.