Kasteel van Bokrijk

Kasteel van Bokrijk is a Neo-Renaissance castle standing at the heart of the Bokrijk Provincial Domain, right beside the city of Genk in the Belgian province of Limburg. Located at Bokrijklaan 8, the building carries the story of a private rentier's estate that later became part of one of the region's largest recreational areas.

Who built the castle at Bokrijk?

The story begins in 1889, when the wealthy rentier Edgar Maris bought the Bokrijk estate from the Coghen family. Maris set out to raise an imposing residence in the Maaslandse Neo-Renaissance style — a regional variant popular along the Meuse valley, combining brick construction with stone detailing and distinctive gables. The design was entrusted to architect Jacobus Van Mansfeld, with construction starting in 1891.

Why did the construction take so long?

Maris's ambitious plans quickly ran into financial trouble. To cover the costs, he began felling trees across the estate and even started a small wood pulp factory, while iron ore was also extracted from the grounds. Despite these efforts, the money ran out, and after just three years the estate was sold to Count Ferdinand de Meeûs. It was only under his ownership that the castle was finally completed in 1898 — nearly a decade after building began.

What happened to the castle in the 20th century?

In 1937 the entire Bokrijk estate was sold to the province, laying the foundation for the Bokrijk Provincial Domain, today best known for its adjoining open-air museum. The castle itself did not escape the turmoil of the Second World War: in 1944 it was used to billet Waffen-SS troops, followed later by American forces. The wartime damage and neglect made a thorough restoration necessary, which began in 1950. The renovation work culminated in the opening of a restaurant inside the castle in 1952.

What is the castle used for today?

Today, Kasteel van Bokrijk serves as a landmark and part of the dining and leisure infrastructure of the Bokrijk Domain — a sprawling area of forests, lakes, cycling paths, and the aforementioned open-air museum showcasing traditional Flemish architecture. No longer a private residence, the building stands as a testament to its first owner's ambitions and to the region's turbulent history at the turn of the 20th century.

Where exactly is the castle located?

The building sits at Bokrijklaan 8, within the city limits of Genk, at approximately 50.964° N, 5.411° E. Because it lies inside the provincial domain, the most convenient way to visit is to combine it with a wider tour of Bokrijk's other attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the castle? The building now functions as a dining venue, housing a restaurant used by visitors to the domain.

Who designed Kasteel van Bokrijk? The design came from architect Jacobus Van Mansfeld, commissioned by the estate's original owner, Edgar Maris.

Why did the castle change owners so soon after construction began? Edgar Maris ran into financial difficulties despite trying to raise funds through logging and iron ore extraction, forcing him to sell the estate to Count Ferdinand de Meeûs after just three years.

What wartime events marked the castle's history? In 1944 the building billeted first Waffen-SS troops and then American forces, leading to damage that required a post-war restoration.