Easy hikes and walks in Kasteeldomein Van Westmalle En Omgeving

Good hiking shoes with sturdy soles are essential for comfort, especially on muddy trails. Note: This route unfortunately doesn't have many benches. Therefore, it's recommended that you bring a small seating mat. This allows you to comfortably take a break on a grassy area or another scenic spot along the way. This gives you the freedom to rest whenever and wherever you like while enjoying the view. Also, bring plenty of water in a water bottle and some snacks for the journey. Happy hiking!

Restoration The building will be preserved and restored in its entirety. In preparation for the restoration, the architectural firm Erfgoed en Visie bv from Malle thoroughly mapped out the round structure. Floors were opened up in places to check whether foundations were present. They thoroughly examined the construction of floors and walls and conducted research into historical colour finishes. In 2023, the Agency for Immovable Heritage launched a call for subsidies for small total projects of castles and houses. The round structure of the castle of Westmalle fitted perfectly within this theme, so the Kempens Landschap Foundation drew up an application file for its restoration. The complete restoration file was submitted to the Agency for Immovable Heritage at the beginning of 2024. The final decision will be announced in June 2024. The total restoration cost is estimated at around 1.5 million euros (excl. VAT). The premium from Immovable Heritage would be worth 375,000 euros.

1914 After an inheritance, the domain came into the hands of the van der Straten Waillet family from 1914. There are no written sources about the renovations, but we assume that the round building was also adapted with the new owner of the castle. The joinery in the facades is art deco inspired and forms the basis for the current appearance of the facade. The gates currently have a blue and white colour scheme, which corresponds to the coat of arms of the van der Straten Waillet family. After 1914 At a certain point, the building lost its historical function. The horse and carriage were replaced by a car and that is still visible today: the gates where the cars drove in have been widened. The tenant made way for the gardener, so the northern stable was converted into an extra home for a gardener.

1841 The round building was built in 1841 by order of Félix and Charlotte de Norman. When the domain was sold in 1844, the notary included the following description: "A particularly beautiful NEW BUILDING/farm model/tenant's house, cow and horse stable and barn." 1881 In 1878, the domain became the property of Baron Emile de Turck de Kersbeek. In 1881, the central core of the round building was given an iron roof truss and the thatched roof was repaired. During this period, the building was also furnished with a small home for the tenant. The space on the west side was transformed into a home with a monumental fireplace. Attic rooms were furnished on the upper floor.

The round building is a service building at the castle of Westmalle. The round shape of the building is unique and rare, as there is no other comparable building in our country. The building was built around 1841 and served as a model farm with a carriage house, a cow and horse stable and storage spaces. As the name suggests, it is a round building with a diameter of 22 meters. The outer facade is divided into 20 bays. In the center there is a large hall that runs through all floors.

In 1914, Baron Alfons van der Straten Waillet inherited the castle. By dividing it among his children, it passed to his 4th son, Baron Jacques van der Straten Waillet, in 1973. In 1978, the castle, which has perfectly preserved its appearance from 1561, was protected as a monument. After the death of Baron Jacques van der Straten Waillet in 1984, the castle was inhabited by his widow, born Countess Christiane de Lannoy, and his sister, Lady Marie-Josephe van der Straten Waillet. After the death of the baroness in 2022, the castle was put up for sale. The asking price was 3.8 million euros. The municipality of Malle decided to purchase the castle after a survey among its residents. This purchase was largely financed by the Kempens Landschap Foundation. Source Wikipedia

In 1695, the last heir of the Cottereau family owed a lot of money to Pierre Farisau, and later to his heir Filips Robijns. In 1702, the castle was claimed by the creditors, but the court returned the castle to Lady Moytray, the widow of the Cottereau. In 1738, her brother inherited the castle and it was sold to the heirs of Filips Robijns. The castle then had the appearance of a fortified castle with a monumental gate, drawbridge, double rampart and forecourt. These heirs sold the castle to Jacques Benoit Pauwens in 1743. The Pauwens family lived in the castle until 1847. In 1829, Baron de Norman renovated the castle. His children sold the castle in 1848 to an Antwerp diamond merchant, Mr Bovie. He renovated the castle and a garden was created by the landscape architect Koelich. From 1874 to 1878 the castle belonged to Louis Geelhand. Baron de Turck de Kersbeeck bought the castle in 1878 and had the building restored and renovated by architect Schadde.

The Westmalle Castle is located in the village of Westmalle in the municipality of Malle. The origins of the castle go back to a large fortified farm, the Mansus de Trisco (Dutch: Hoeve Ten Driessche), which was founded around 1100. The farm was the residence of the representatives, the meiers, of the Dukes of Brabant. In 1449, the estate was sold by Philip the Good as Duke of Brabant to Henri van der Moelen, a municipal councilor of Antwerp. In 1505, his son, knight Hendrik van der Moelen, received all feudal rights from Philip I of Castile (also known in the Netherlands as Philip the Fair). Hendrik's grandson, Evrard de Cottereau, built the current castle in 1561. The avenue to the church of Westmalle was constructed in 1650.