Kasteel Mariadal

Kasteel Mariadal is a historic manor house in Zaventem, in the Flemish Brabant region of Belgium, just a few kilometers from central Brussels. The building stands within a large municipal park known today as Centrumpark and ranks among the town's most notable heritage sites.

Where does the name come from and how did the site begin?

The story of the site goes back to the 15th century, when a farmstead stood here as a fief of the Duke of Brabant, dependent on the old Ter Meeren castle belonging to the lords of Zaventem. In the 16th century the estate was split into two separate parts — a manor and a farm — which were sold off individually to Brussels nobility. It was only in the 17th century that the two parts were reunited into a single domain again.

When was the current building constructed?

The manor's present appearance dates mainly from the end of the 19th century. In 1896 the property, along with twelve hectares of farmland and a farm building from 1864 designed by architect Gustave Saintenoy, was purchased by the archaeologist Emile De Munck. Most of the old farm structures were demolished, and on the original sandstone foundations De Munck had a new building erected — constructed in brick with courses of sandstone, in a neo-traditionalist style. The new residence was given the name Val Marie, also known as Mariadal.

What happened to the castle during the 20th century?

In 1920 Mariadal passed into the hands of Paul Gonze. A further turning point came in 1937–1938, when the municipality of Zaventem purchased the estate together with the adjoining Ter Meeren castle grounds and turned both areas into a municipal park, which still functions today as Centrumpark. Between 1937 and 1947 the building housed a secondary school, and in 1988 the manor was converted into a cultural meeting center, a role it continues to serve today.

What is worth seeing on a visit?

Visitors are drawn above all to the combination of architecture and greenery: the building itself, with its distinctive brick facade broken up by bands of sandstone, is surrounded by mature parkland that still traces the layout of the former manor grounds. Centrumpark is now a popular spot for walks among residents of Zaventem and the surrounding area, while Mariadal itself serves as a local cultural hub hosting events and community gatherings.

How to get to Kasteel Mariadal?

The site sits right in Zaventem, directly next to the town center, making it easy to reach both for local residents and for travelers passing through nearby Brussels Airport.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside Kasteel Mariadal? The building operates as a cultural center, so access depends on the current schedule of events held there.

Can you walk around the castle grounds? Yes, the manor is surrounded by a municipal park (Centrumpark) that is open to walkers year-round.

How old is the current building? The present structure dates from the end of the 19th century (1896), although the history of the site itself stretches back much further, to the 15th century.