Kasteel van Regelsbrugge

Kasteel van Regelsbrugge is a neo-traditional castle standing on the border between the city of Aalst and its sub-municipality of Nieuwerkerken, in the Belgian province of East Flanders. It is also known as Kasteel van Schotte, after the family that gave the building its present form in the 1930s. The estate sits within an extensive park with ponds and adjoining woodland running along the Haesebeek stream, a spot locals still enjoy for walks.

Where does the name come from?

The name Regelsbrugge refers to a small bridge already recorded in documents in the year 1395. The estate itself, held as a fief in Nieuwerkerken, is mentioned in sources from the end of the 14th century, making it one of the older documented properties in the area.

What did the earlier castle look like?

Eighteenth-century descriptions place an older castle on this site, set within a large domain that included a manor farm, ornamental gardens, meadows planted with fruit trees, and a pond. It was, in other words, a typical noble estate of the period, combining an agricultural function with a representative one.

Around 1795 the building underwent a major renovation that added an extra floor. This change is recorded as having cost the slender towers their earlier graceful proportions, leaving the older castle with a heavier, less elegant profile than before.

How did the current building come about?

The turning point came in 1930, when the estate was bought by Hippoliet Schotte, a leather tanner. He had the older structure demolished and commissioned a new residence in its place. The design came from architect Van Overstraeten of Ypres, and construction was completed in 1935. The new castle was built in a neo-traditional style, echoing older Flemish architectural forms, while still incorporating the two older corner towers from the previous building — these remain the most recognisable feature of the present structure.

What can visitors see today?

Kasteel van Regelsbrugge stands within a park landscaped with ponds, gardens, and woodland stretching along the Haesebeek stream. This combination of water, greenery, and architecture has made the site a point of interest during local heritage open days, though day to day it remains primarily a private residence set into the landscape of Nieuwerkerken.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kasteel van Regelsbrugge an original historic castle? Not entirely. An earlier castle, documented from the end of the 14th century, was demolished in 1930. The present building dates from 1935 and was built in a neo-traditional style, retaining only the two corner towers from the older structure.

Where does the name Regelsbrugge come from? From a small bridge in the area, recorded in documents as early as 1395.

Can visitors access the park around the castle? The estate is surrounded by a park with ponds and woodland along the Haesebeek, but as a largely private property it is generally accessible to the public only occasionally, for example during heritage open days.

Where exactly is the castle located? On the border between the city of Aalst and its sub-municipality of Nieuwerkerken, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium.