Kasteel 't Hooghe

Kasteel 't Hooghe is a 19th-century Empire-style manor house in Kortrijk, built on one of the highest points in the city. Surrounded today by an expansive landscape park and a rose garden, it remains one of the lesser-known but genuinely interesting historic sites in this part of West Flanders.

Who built Kasteel 't Hooghe?

The manor was built in 1834 at the initiative of the Goethals family. It was commissioned by François Goethals, son of Pierre Goethals and Marie-Rose de Bethune, together with his wife Marie-Thérèse de le Vingne. The Goethals family had close ties to several members of Belgium's National Congress, the body that shaped the constitutional framework of the young Belgian state in the early 1830s. The choice of the highest hill near Kortrijk for the building's location was deliberate — it allowed the residence to dominate the surrounding landscape, underlining the family's social standing.

What did the surrounding park look like?

The park surrounding the building was most likely laid out around 1840 in the English landscape style, characterized by gently winding paths, informally arranged vegetation, and compositions designed to evoke natural scenery rather than the rigid symmetry of earlier French-style gardens. This approach was fashionable at the time among wealthy bourgeois and aristocratic families across what is now Belgium, and the park at Kasteel 't Hooghe counts among the better-preserved examples of that trend in the Kortrijk region.

What happened to the manor after its founder's death?

Marie-Thérèse Goethals was the last member of the family to permanently reside at the manor. After her death, the property passed to NV Kasteel 't Hooghe, a company formed by members of Kortrijk's middle class. The last private owner died in 1956, after which the estate formally became the property of that company, which ran it as a training and recreation center. This shift from private residence to a venue for meetings and training was a common fate for many Belgian manor houses in the second half of the 20th century, as maintaining large estates became increasingly difficult for individual families.

Who manages the site today?

In 2005, Kasteel 't Hooghe, together with its surrounding park, rose garden, and adjoining buildings, became the property of the Province of West Flanders. The buildings on the estate now house the regional office serving the southwest West Flanders area. The province is also responsible for maintaining the landscape park and the rose garden, which was actually established back in 1959 — well before the province took over the entire estate.

What can visitors see at Kasteelpark 't Hooghe?

The Kasteelpark 't Hooghe complex today consists of three main elements: the Empire-style manor building itself, an extensive landscape park with a 19th-century layout of paths and greenery, and a rose garden dating from the mid-20th century. This combination of residential architecture and historic landscaping makes the site worthwhile for anyone interested in the history of local bourgeois families as well as garden design.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kasteel 't Hooghe built? The manor was built in 1834 in the Empire style.

Who commissioned the building? François Goethals and his wife Marie-Thérèse de le Vingne, from the wealthy Goethals family.

Who owns the site today? Since 2005, the Province of West Flanders has owned the estate.

Is there a garden on the grounds? Yes, the property includes a landscape park dating from around 1840 and a rose garden established in 1959.