Kasteel Maxburg

Kasteel Maxburg is a small castle in the village of Meer, part of the municipality of Hoogstraten in the Antwerp province, close to the Belgian-Dutch border. It looks like a centuries-old aristocratic residence, but its story is much shorter than most Belgian castles — it dates only to the mid-19th century and owes its existence to a single, specific entrepreneur.

Who founded Maxburg?

The estate was created by Maximiliaan Van den Bergh, the eldest son of Jean-Jacques Van den Bergh, an Antwerp ship owner. In 1853 Maximiliaan bought a large tract of land known as Heyhoef, covering around 1,200 hectares near Meer. Rather than a purely ornamental noble seat, the site was developed first as a large agricultural operation: grain grown here supplied the family's jenever (Dutch gin) distilleries, both in Antwerp itself and on the estate grounds.

How did the estate grow?

The first residence on the land went up around 1860 and it was this house that carried the name Maxburg, after its founder. Almost a decade later, in 1869, the modest manor house was enlarged into a stately residence. A park was laid out around the building in the fashion typical of the period — monumental entrance gates, ornamental gardens, ponds and tree-lined avenues. The resulting complex was, at the time, one of the most impressive residential estates in the entire North Kempen region, with few rivals nearby.

What happened to the estate in the 20th century?

The Van den Bergh family's fortunes did not last forever. The economic crisis of the 1930s put heavy strain on the owners' finances, and the once-vast estate was eventually sold off and divided among new buyers. The castle building itself survived these changes, even as its surroundings and function shifted with each new owner.

What is the castle's role today?

The restoration of Kasteel Maxburg was completed in 1998, returning the building to something closer to its original condition. For the following years, until 2010, the castle operated as an upscale bed and breakfast, drawing guests looking for a historic, intimate place to stay. Today the property is privately owned and no longer functions as accommodation, though the building still stands as a reminder of the 19th-century agricultural and industrial ambitions of the Van den Bergh family.

Why visit the area around Maxburg?

Even though the castle itself is not open for interior visits today, the grounds around the former estate remain appealing for walkers and cyclists. Marked trails in the area lead through the land that once made up the estate and through the neighboring nature reserves, letting visitors quietly explore a landscape shaped by the ambitions of one Antwerp businessman more than 150 years ago. It's a rewarding stop for anyone who enjoys combining local history with the natural scenery of the Belgian-Dutch border region.

Frequently asked questions

Can Kasteel Maxburg be visited? The castle is currently privately owned, so the interior is not open to the general public.

How old is the castle? The first residence was built around 1860 and enlarged in 1869, making it a relatively young building by Belgian standards.

Was it ever possible to stay overnight at the castle? Yes — after a restoration completed in 1998, the building operated as a bed and breakfast until 2010.