Castle Loppem

Zedelgem, Belgium, Belgium

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Castle Loppem is a 19th‑century neo‑Gothic castle situated in the village of Loppem, within the municipality of Zedelgem in West Flanders, Belgium, just a short distance south of Bruges.

It was built between 1859 and 1862 for Baron Charles van Caloen and his wife, designed by the English architect Edward Welby Pugin and the Flemish architect Jean‑Baptiste Bethune, and is regarded as a masterpiece of civil neo‑Gothic architecture.

The castle still preserves almost all of its original exterior, interior decoration, and furniture, making it one of the few Belgian castles where the complete 19th‑century design has remained intact. It houses a rich collection of artworks, including paintings, stained‑glass windows, and sculptures, and is surrounded by a romantic park with ponds, a hedge maze from 1873, and landscaped gardens that together form a protected heritage landscape.

During World War I, the site served as headquarters for the Belgian Army and hosted King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth, adding a notable chapter to its historical role.