Top 20 Castles around Hemiksem
Best castles around Hemiksem offers a journey through historical architecture and significant sites. The municipality of Hemiksem, located in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, features historical structures such as Hemiksemhof Castle and St. Bernard's Abbey. The broader region includes various historical castles and fortifications, providing insights into centuries of local history and architectural evolution. The area combines historical exploration with opportunities to experience the surrounding landscapes.
Best castles around Hemiksem
- The most popular castles is Wissekerke Castle, a castle that was originally a moated castle from the 15th century. It was extensively renovated in the early 19th century in Empire style, with preserved interiors including an Egyptian room.
- Another must-see spot is Fort Steendorp, a 19th-century brick fort built to protect Antwerp. This historical site now serves as a bat sanctuary and offers a walking trail around its walls.
- Visitors also love Het Steen, a castle that is the oldest stone building in Antwerp. It has served various functions over centuries, including a prison and a museum, and now functions as a visitor center.
- Hemiksem is known for its diverse range of historical fortifications, including ancient stone castles, renovated neo-Gothic structures, and 19th-century forts. The area offers a variety of castles to see and explore, each with its own unique history and architectural style.
- The castles around Hemiksem are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 600 upvotes and over 180 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 3, 2026
Het Steen
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Het Steen
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Fort Steendorp
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Wissekerke Castle
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Anyone who takes a look just outside the castle grounds will be impressed by the 600-meter-long castle avenue with monumental beech trees dozens of meters high. A beautiful place to walk, cycle or just take a rest and enjoy the rustling leaves.
(Castles of the Scheldt)
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Graventoren - Rupelmonde
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At the bottom you will find an exhibition entitled The Secrets of the Count's Castle. You will discover prints, maps and a 3D reconstruction of the former Gravenburcht in its natural habitat.
(Waasland.be)
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Few buildings in the Waasland region hold such a mythical allure as the Graventoren (Counts' Tower) in Rupelmonde. The names associated with it certainly contribute to that. This tower, for example, is the remnant of a moated castle with no fewer than 17 towers, once owned by the Counts of Flanders. This colossal fortress protected the Scheldt River from attackers and conquerors. Mercator's Dungeon Mercator also plays a key role in this story. When he shared his revolutionary insights with the world, he was promptly sent to the dungeon by the church authorities. Guess where that dungeon was located? Exactly, in the cellars of the Graventoren. Here he was imprisoned for seven months, accused of heresy. A Bloody History Mercator, however, was not the only one to enter the cellars of the moated castle. Many dissidents suffered the same fate, and often worse. A stay in the dungeons of the Graventoren (Counts' Tower) often ended with a bloody decapitation. While the Counts of Flanders may have enjoyed legendary status in history, they were certainly not gentlemen. Count Robert of Bethune once even threw his own son in jail here, accused of high treason. A kind of chamber arrest before its time, you might say. At the end of the 17th century, the moated castle came to an end. The fortress was drastically destroyed, and the rubble was reused for other buildings. For example, the church of Rupelmonde was built with materials from the castle ruins.
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Unfortunately the tower was not open, but it is still a beautiful site to walk past. A nice surprise and definitely worth taking a detour from your route.
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Remains of the 12th century moated castle built by the Counts of Flanders to defend the Scheldt and the Rupel.
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Located directly on the Schlede and centrally in Antwerp, I didn't expect to see this magnificent castle there. The castle looks like one of the medieval castles from the earlier knight films. I found it very fascinating. The castle is also Antwerp's oldest building. Of course, it can also be visited.
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Part of a former ring rampart castle on the right bank of the Scheldt. A beautiful building.
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Wissekerke Castle in Basel was originally a real moated castle, the first mentions of which date back to the tenth century. Later, the noble Vilain XIIII family converted the castle into a real neo-Gothic castle, with a gatehouse in neo-Tudor style. The interiors have largely been preserved. The Egyptian room and the salon in Empire style particularly appeal to the imagination. Anyone who takes a look just outside the castle grounds will be impressed by the 600-meter-long castle avenue with monumental beech trees dozens of meters high. A beautiful place to walk, cycle or just take a rest and enjoy the rustling leaves. (Castles of the Scheldt)
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Tourist information and museum in old walls
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history behind Kasteel Hemiksemhof?
Kasteel Hemiksemhof in Hemiksem has a history dating back to at least 1380. The current classicist-style castle was built between 1760 and 1770. It features a U-shaped floor plan, an 18th-century oak staircase, and a 17th-century chapel with a Baroque dome. The estate is set within a rectangular moated landscape park.
Are there any family-friendly castles to visit near Hemiksem?
Yes, several castles in the region are considered family-friendly. Het Steen in Antwerp, which now functions as a visitor center, is a great option. Wissekerke Castle also offers a castle park with monumental beech trees, which can be enjoyable for families.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near these castles?
The area around Hemiksem offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, such as those in the Cycling around Hemiksem guide, or explore gravel biking trails like the 'Scheldt and Rupel Brick Route' mentioned in the Gravel biking around Hemiksem guide. Many castles, like Fort Steendorp, also have walking trails around their grounds.
Can I explore the interiors of the castles?
For some castles, yes. Wissekerke Castle, for example, has largely preserved interiors, including an Egyptian room and an Empire-style salon. Graventoren - Rupelmonde allows visitors to climb its tower for panoramic views and features an exhibition at its base.
Are there any castles with unique natural features or wildlife nearby?
Fort Steendorp is a notable example. This 19th-century brick fort now serves as an important bat sanctuary, hosting around 1,200 bats in winter. The 20-hectare site is also home to over 100 bird species and is protected as a landscape, historical monument, and nature reserve.
What is the best time of year to visit the castles around Hemiksem?
Visiting during spring or autumn often provides pleasant weather for exploring both the castles and their surrounding parks. The walking trail around Fort Steendorp is freely accessible from sunrise to sunset, but boots are recommended in rainy weather, suggesting that drier seasons might be more comfortable for outdoor exploration.
Is Cleydael Castle accessible to visitors?
While Cleydael Castle is historically connected to the Hemiksem region, specific details about public access or visiting hours are limited in the provided information. Its historical significance is mainly tied to its former extensive parkland, which included the Cleydael forest area.
Are there any castles that offer panoramic views?
Yes, Graventoren - Rupelmonde offers a 360° panorama from its top, providing unique views of the entire region. It's absolutely worth climbing for the scenery.
What architectural styles can I expect to see among the castles?
The castles around Hemiksem showcase a range of architectural styles. Het Steen is an ancient stone building with origins dating back to the 9th century, later renovated. Kasteel Hemiksemhof is a classicist-style castle from the 18th century, while Wissekerke Castle features a neo-Gothic design with a neo-Tudor gatehouse.
Can I find information about the castles' past uses?
Many castles have rich histories of varied uses. Het Steen, for instance, served as a prison until 1823, then as a home, sawmill, and museum before becoming the Antwerp Visitor Center. Graventoren - Rupelmonde was once a military bastion where executions and prison sentences were carried out, and even Mercator was imprisoned there.
Are there any castles that are wheelchair accessible?
Het Steen in Antwerp is listed as wheelchair accessible, making it a good option for visitors with mobility considerations. However, the walking trail around Fort Steendorp is not suitable for wheelchairs.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the castles in this region?
Visitors appreciate the diverse range of historical fortifications, from ancient stone castles to renovated neo-Gothic structures and 19th-century forts. The unique history and architectural style of each site, combined with opportunities for outdoor activities in their surrounding landscapes, are highly valued by the komoot community.
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