Egmontpark

Egmontpark is a historic municipal park in Zottegem, East Flanders, laid out around the former castle of the House of Egmont. Beyond its role as green recreational space, the park stands as a physical reminder of one of the region's more dramatic historical episodes.

Where does the park's name come from?

The name traces back to the House of Egmont, which took possession of the castle within today's park grounds in the 16th century. Its most notable member, Count Lamoral van Egmont, was beheaded on Philip II's orders at the Grand Place in Brussels in 1568, during the period of Spanish rule over the Low Countries and the Duke of Alba's crackdown on opposition figures. That episode remains a defining chapter in the region's history, and both the park and the castle still carry his family name.

What is inside the castle itself?

At the heart of the park stands Egmontkasteel, a castle whose origins reach back to the 11th century. Over the centuries it passed through numerous owners and uses: it fell into disrepair by the late 18th century, then underwent a substantial rebuilding in the 19th century. Since 1982 it has housed Zottegem's public library, Bibliotheek Zottegem — meaning the historic building is not merely preserved as a monument but continues to serve residents as a working civic institution.

What does the park look like today?

The park in its present layout was created in the second half of the 19th century as a garden surrounding the castle. Its character comes from open lawns combined with mature trees, including beeches and lindens. One especially notable specimen is a Japanese ginkgo biloba standing west of the castle, its trunk measuring 4.06 metres in circumference — among the most distinctive natural features of the grounds. Along Graaf van Egmontstraat and near the castle wall by the former drawbridge, trained yew trees add a more formal, garden-like structure to that section of the park.

Is the park connected to other green spaces?

Egmontpark is not an isolated green patch — it links up with the neighbouring Leirenshof and with Beislovenpark, which lies across the Bettelhovebeek stream. This connection allows visitors to move between several of the city's green areas on foot rather than being confined to the park's own boundaries.

What historic features and monuments can visitors see?

Since 1968 the park has displayed a cast-iron statue of Lamoral van Egmont, dating from 1820, which originally stood on the town's market square before being relocated here. In 2001 the site underwent conservation work: the castle wall and bridge were restored, a wetland moat was created, and in the archaeological section of the park, the foundations of a 12th-century Romanesque chapel were visualised using yellow dolomite stone. This lets visitors trace building activity on the site well before the castle's current form took shape.

Does the park hold protected status?

Yes — Egmontpark has been legally protected as a monument since 1987. The city of Zottegem acquired the land in stages, purchasing the northern section in 1957 and the southern section in 1965, gradually bringing the whole area under unified municipal management.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? Yes, it is an open public municipal park with no admission ticket required for a walk through its grounds.

Can visitors go inside the castle? The castle now functions as the public library, so its interior is accessible during library opening hours, though the visit is a library one rather than a museum tour.

What else is worth seeing besides the castle? The statue of Lamoral van Egmont, the large Japanese ginkgo tree, and the visualised foundations of the medieval chapel in the park's archaeological section.