Wijnendale Castle in Torhout possesses rich historical significance, with its origins tracing to the 11th century when Robert I, Count of Flanders, established it as a military base. The present structure largely dates to the 19th-century reconstruction undertaken by banker Josse-Pierre Matthieu between 1837 and 1852, who restored the medieval aesthetic. The castle holds poignant historical moments, including the deaths of Marie of Burgundy following a riding accident in 1482 and a final cabinet meeting held by Belgian King Leopold III in 1940 before the German invasion. Located 4 kilometers from Torhout, one wing remains inhabited by current owners while another functions as a museum open to public visits.
