Kasteel van Meldert

Kasteel van Meldert is a neo-Gothic castle in Meldert, a village belonging to the municipality of Hoegaarden in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The building stands on raised ground surrounded by parkland and the Meldertbos woodland, several hundred meters from the site of the original medieval stronghold.

How old is the site's history?

The earliest written reference to a castle in Meldert dates to 1572, though historians believe an older fortified structure likely stood here even earlier. Over the centuries the estate passed through several noble families in succession: Van Meldert, Van Montenaken, D'Oyenbrugghe, and finally Vander Noot, the family that would eventually shape the residence into its present form.

What happened to the original stronghold?

The oldest family seat, a donjon (keep), stood along what is now Kerkstraat. In 1568 — even before the castle's first documented mention — this earlier structure was destroyed by fire. Rather than rebuild on the same spot, the family relocated the residence roughly 700 meters to the south, choosing higher ground that offered better protection.

When was the current building constructed?

The castle visible today dates to around 1845. On the initiative of Countess Vander Noot, the older sixteenth-century manor house was demolished and replaced with a new neo-Gothic residence. The design was drawn up by architect Auguste Vivroux (1795–1867). The interiors and certain architectural details were later refined by Pierre Victor Jamaer (1825–1902), a city architect from Brussels known for his work on other prominent Belgian buildings.

How did the castle survive the wars of the 20th century?

The building's twentieth-century history is closely tied to both world wars. As early as 1914, with the outbreak of the First World War, the castle was occupied by German forces. During the Second World War the situation repeated itself: German occupying troops again took over the building, which also suffered damage as a result.

What is the castle used for today?

After the war, the estate's future turned toward education. In 1957 the property was purchased by the Aalmoezeniers van de Arbeid (Chaplains of Labour), who established a school, Sint-Janscollege, within its walls. That institution still operates in the former residence today, meaning the castle has continued to serve an active purpose rather than falling into disrepair, as happened to many comparable estates in the region.

What should visitors know before planning a trip?

Kasteel van Meldert sits at the heart of the Meldertbos, a wooded park area surrounding the former estate, making the surroundings appealing for walkers and nature lovers exploring the Hoegaarden area — a town also famous as the birthplace of Belgian wheat beer. Because the building now houses an operating school, it is not a museum open to casual visitors, but its neo-Gothic silhouette and the surrounding parkland remain a distinctive feature of this part of Flemish Brabant.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors go inside the castle? Since the building houses an active school (Sint-Janscollege), it is not a standard tourist attraction with regular public access.

Why is it called neo-Gothic if the first record dates to the 16th century? The structure seen today only dates to around 1845 — the older sixteenth-century manor house was demolished at that time and replaced with the new neo-Gothic building.

Who were the last private owners of the estate? The Vander Noot family were the last owners to develop and manage the property before it was sold in 1957.