Grote Mot

Grote Mot is a historic, castle-like residence standing at Mot 1 in Borgloon, in the Belgian province of Limburg. The building lies just south of the town centre, surrounded by an extensive park, and is recognised as protected heritage in the region.

What does the name mean, and what does the building look like today?

The name "Mot" refers to a traditional type of medieval defensive earthwork — a mound surrounded by a moat, once common across this part of Europe. The present-day building, however, is not a literal survivor of that era: it is a residence built in the Maasland style (typical of the Meuse river region), whose core dates from the 17th century. A facade stone bears the carved year 1661, allowing the construction of the main structure to be dated with some precision.

What did the 1990 excavations reveal?

During archaeological work carried out on the estate in 1990, excavators uncovered the remains of a bridge, a square tower, and a perimeter wall that once enclosed the whole site. Notably, none of these findings predated the 17th century, meaning there is no confirmed evidence of an earlier medieval defensive structure on the site, despite the evocative name.

How was the building affected by the Second World War?

Grote Mot did not escape wartime destruction. During the Second World War the residence was bombed, and as a result two of its towers had to be demolished afterwards. Of the original structure, a section spanning two bays and two storeys survives, closed off by a distinctive scroll gable dating back to the time of construction.

How was the building restored after the war?

In 1976 the residence underwent a thorough renovation and extension in a traditionalist style. The architects aimed to preserve as much of the original historic core as possible. Notably, old building materials were reused in the process — materials that originally came from the Castle of Fontaine in Horion-Hozémont, Belgium, a practice that helped the new additions retain an authentic period character despite being built decades later. Twenty years afterward, in 1996, an orangery was added to the estate.

What is notable about the garden surrounding the residence?

An integral part of the estate is its garden, laid out in 1990 on the site of former vegetable gardens and orchards. It was designed by Jacques Wirtz, a celebrated Belgian landscape architect known for projects of international standing. Set on steeply sloping terrain, the garden combines formal hedges of yew and boxwood with fruit orchards and vineyards — the latter reviving a wine-growing tradition once practised in the area.

Frequently asked questions

Can Grote Mot be visited? The available source material does not specify current public access arrangements — the property is a private residence that holds protected heritage status.

Is the building still the original 17th-century structure? Only in part. A fragment of the original construction survives, including its scroll gable, but much of the present-day building is the result of the 1976 renovation and extension, which also incorporated materials from another historic castle.

Why does the name include the word "Mot"? The name refers to a traditional type of medieval moated mound, though the 1990 excavations found no evidence of anything older than the 17th-century residence itself.

Who designed the garden at Grote Mot? The garden was designed by Jacques Wirtz in 1990, on land that had previously been used as orchards and vegetable gardens belonging to the estate.