Kasteel ter Ham

Kasteel ter Ham is a moated castle in Steenokkerzeel, a small municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, located a short distance northeast of Brussels. The site sits within a plot ringed by water moats that have defined its layout for centuries and still shape the way the grounds are experienced today.

How far back does the site's history go?

The origins of settlement here reach into the early Middle Ages. As early as the 8th century, a Frankish farmstead-type settlement stood on the forecourt of today's castle — a wooden structure whose only real protection came from the surrounding moats. Over time the timber buildings were gradually replaced with stone construction, and a defensive ring wall was added to shield the inhabitants from possible attack.

What survives from the first stone building?

In the 12th century, the first stone structure was raised on that same forecourt. Four towers from this phase still stand: one beside the entrance gate, one incorporated into the former gatekeeper's house, and two built into the rear wall of what used to be the stables. These are the oldest surviving elements of the whole complex and point to centuries of continuous building activity on the same spot.

Where does the castle's current appearance come from?

The moated castle as it stands today was commissioned by Philippe Hinckaert and built between 1490 and 1505, replacing an earlier stronghold thought to have stood somewhat further to the southwest. This Renaissance-era rebuilding gave the residence much of the form it has retained ever since.

What happened in more recent history?

In the 20th century, the castle's fate became linked to one of Europe's most prominent royal families. Its last private lord, Jean de Croix, leased the estate to the Habsburgs starting in 1929, and Empress Zita lived there with her household until 1940. In 1957, the de Croix family sold the castle to the municipality of Steenokkerzeel, which has owned it ever since.

After years of standing empty and facing gradual decay, the Flemish region placed the castle under long-term lease in 2014 to Optimum C, an organisation running an elderly-care training centre on the site.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kasteel ter Ham located? The castle stands in the municipality of Steenokkerzeel, in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium, on grounds surrounded by water moats.

Is the castle an original medieval structure? Partly — four towers date back to the 12th-century building, while most of the current structure results from a rebuilding carried out around 1490–1505.

Who was the last private owner of the castle? The de Croix family, who held the estate until selling it to the municipality in 1957.

What was Empress Zita's connection to the castle? She leased the residence starting in 1929 and lived there with her family until 1940.

What is the castle used for today? Since 2014 it has been leased to an organisation that runs a training centre focused on elderly care.