CASTLES GRIMBERGEN

Grimbergen Castle, commonly known as Prinsenkasteel or Prince's Castle, stands in Grimbergen, Flemish Brabant, Belgium. Serving as the residence of the lords of Grimbergen from the 14th century, the castle's oldest surviving sections date to around 1500, including a large gate tower and corner tower. The castle earned its iconic name in 1686 when Filip Frans van Bergen became Prince of Grimbergen. Heavily damaged during World War II when occupying forces used it as a munitions depot, only the donjon and a round corner tower remain standing today, connected by a façade. The castle sits on a moated island within Prinsenbos forest and is not currently accessible to the public.

Kasteel d'Overschie, also known as Kasteel de Vorst, is a neoclassical castle with neorococo embellishments located in Grimbergen. Built around 1904 by architect Octave Flanneau on foundations from an 1803 manor house, the structure displays symmetrical composition with decorative window frames, leaded windows, and ornamental ironwork. The 42,700-square-meter estate features a distinctive spoon-shaped pond, serpentine water features, formal gardens with specimen trees, and a decorative iron gate, remaining as a private residence surrounded by modern residential neighborhoods.

The Castle of Bever in Grimbergen is a historical fortress originally acquired in 1748 by Count Philip Melchior Emmanuel de Villegas de Clercamp, who commissioned eighteenth-century additions. The current castle and coach house were erected in 1846 following demolition of earlier structures. Located on Boechoutlaan, the castle represents a significant historical landmark reflecting Grimbergen's medieval heritage and sits within territory that was strategically positioned between the County of Flanders and the Berthout family holdings during the medieval period.