Kasteel Ten Berghe

Kasteel Ten Berghe is a historic castle standing in Koolkerke, a district of Bruges located roughly two kilometres from the city's historic centre. The residence sits within an extensive private estate of about 35 hectares, laid out in the style of an English landscape park.

How old is this estate?

The first written record of the Ten Berghe estate dates back to 1267, when the site served as the seat of a local feudal lordship. Over the following centuries ownership changed hands several times. The Walhier family held the estate until 1390, after which it passed to the Van Rooden family (until 1482), then to the Despaers family (until 1610), and later to the de Croeser de Berges family, who managed the property until the early 19th century. Since then the estate has belonged to the van Caloen family, its owners to this day.

What happened to the castle in the 15th century?

The estate's history was far from peaceful. In 1490 the original building was burned to the ground by the troops of Engelbert II of Nassau during the Flemish uprising against Maximilian of Habsburg. This destruction shaped the property's fate for a long time, and it took many years before the estate underwent a thorough reconstruction.

What does today's building look like?

The castle's current appearance dates from 1877, when it was completely renovated and enlarged in neo-Gothic style. The design was the work of architect Joseph Schadde, known for historicist projects that were popular in Belgium during the second half of the 19th century. The neo-Gothic silhouette, with its characteristic turrets and pointed-arch details, gives the estate a picturesque, romantic character typical of the country residences built for the landed gentry of that period.

What can visitors see in the surrounding park?

The park surrounding the castle was laid out in the informal English landscape style, contrasting with the geometric, formal French gardens favoured in earlier eras. Several smaller structures survive on the grounds, including a former ice house, once used to store ice and keep food cool, and a small garden gazebo that served as a vantage point and a resting spot during walks through the park.

How is the castle used today?

Between 2003 and 2004 the estate was converted for hospitality use and now operates as a bed and breakfast, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of a historic residence up close by staying overnight within its walls.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kasteel Ten Berghe located? In Koolkerke, a small locality administratively part of Bruges, about two kilometres from the city centre.

Who owned the castle over the centuries? Successively the Walhier, Van Rooden, Despaers, and de Croeser de Berges families, and from the 19th century onward, the van Caloen family.

Did the original building survive to the present day? No — it was destroyed in 1490. The castle's current neo-Gothic form results from the 1877 reconstruction.

Can visitors stay overnight at the castle? Yes, the estate has operated as a bed and breakfast since 2003–2004.