Loppem Castle
Loppem Castle (Dutch: Kasteel van Loppem) is a mansion situated in Loppem in the municipality of Zedelgem, near Bruges in West Flanders, in the Flemish Region of Belgium.
Loppem Castle | |
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Kasteel van Loppem | |
Location within Belgium | |
Alternative names | Kasteel van Caloen |
General information | |
Status | Museum (since 1975) |
Type | Mansion |
Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
Classification | Protected monument (since 1985);[1] built heritage (since 2011)[2] |
Location | Zedelgem, West Flanders, Belgium |
Coordinates | 51.156°N 3.203°E |
Construction started | 1858 |
Completed | 2 July 1863 |
Client | Charles van Caloen |
Owner | Jean van Caloen Foundation |
Design and construction | |
Architect | E.W. Pugin and Jean-Baptiste de Béthune |
Website | |
Loppem Castle official website |
Unusually, it preserves its original architecture and interior decoration. The castle has a richly decorated and furnished interior, and houses a collection of works of art (paintings, stained glass, statuary). It is surrounded by a romantic park with ponds and a maze, which has itself been designated a protected heritage landscape.[3]
The castle and park are now owned by the Stichting Jean van Caloen ("Jean van Caloen Foundation") and have been open to the public since 1975.[4]
History
The castle was built between 1859 and 1862 for Baron Charles van Caloen and his family, to designs by architects E.W. Pugin and Jean-Baptiste Bethune. It is considered a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.[4]
In late 1917, during the German Occupation, the castle was requisitioned for the use of a German general and his staff. After the German withdrawal, the castle served as the residence of Albert I of Belgium from 24 October until 25 November 1918.[4]
Gallery
See also
- List of castles in Belgium
Notes
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kasteel van Loppem. |
- "Kasteeldomein van Loppem: landhuis en bijgebouwen". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.
- "Kasteel van Loppem". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.
- "Kasteelpark van Loppem". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.
- "Kasteeldomein van Loppem". erfgoed.net. Flemish organization for Immovable Heritage.