Kasteel Wallemote

Kasteel Wallemote is a historic mansion in Izegem, in the Belgian province of West Flanders, forming part of what is today the larger Wallemote-Wolvenhof park domain. The building was constructed between 1912 and 1913 for the wealthy Vanden Bogaerde family, who for generations held influential positions in Izegem's local government.

Who built Kasteel Wallemote?

The project was initiated by Valère Vanden Bogaerde, who was elected mayor of Izegem in 1900 but died suddenly in 1904, before construction could begin. His two eldest sons, Emile and Gaspard, carried the plans forward. Gaspard inherited Wallemote itself — his initials appear on the front facade, and the construction year, 1913, is carved into the rear wall. His brother Emile built the neighboring mansion, Wolvenhof, on the same estate. Both buildings, together with their outbuildings, were designed by Jules Vercoutere, the city architect of Izegem at the time.

Where does the name Wallemote come from?

The name refers to a former feudal estate, or fief, called Wallemote that once occupied the same grounds. Construction of both mansions began in 1912, alongside the landscaping of the surrounding parks, which were designed to give the estates the representative, landed-gentry character typical of wealthy families at the turn of the twentieth century.

What happened at the castle during the First World War?

During the German occupation of Belgium in the First World War, Kasteel Wallemote earned the grim nickname "lice castle." The building was used as a delousing station, run by the German delousing service to disinfect and treat soldiers and civilians for lice infestations. This episode has remained a notable part of local historical memory in Izegem.

How did ownership of the castle change over time?

After the Second World War, the mansion was sold to R. Werbrouck-Peers, a local brush manufacturer. Ownership changed again in 1952, when the building passed to Sint-Jozefscollege, a local educational institution. Since 1997, Kasteel Wallemote has been owned by the City of Izegem, a transition that gradually opened the site to the public as part of the city's cultural heritage.

What is the Wallemote-Wolvenhof domain today?

Today, Kasteel Wallemote and the neighboring Wolvenhof together form the provincial Wallemote-Wolvenhof domain, an extensive park area that has become a popular destination for walks and leisure among residents of the region. Despite their separate ownership histories over the twentieth century, the two buildings remain physically and historically linked as the work of the same founding family and the same architect.

Frequently asked questions

When was Kasteel Wallemote built? Construction began in 1912 and was completed in 1913, as confirmed by the date carved into the rear facade of the building.

Who designed the castle? The design was created by Jules Vercoutere, the city architect of Izegem, commissioned by the Vanden Bogaerde family.

Can Kasteel Wallemote be visited today? The castle is part of the Wallemote-Wolvenhof municipal park domain, owned by the City of Izegem since 1997, which makes the surrounding grounds accessible to visitors.

Why was the castle nicknamed the "lice castle"? The nickname dates from the First World War, when the building served as a delousing station during the German occupation.