Kasteel Van Laarne

Laarne, Belgium, Belgium

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Laarne Castle (Kasteel van Laarne) is a well-preserved medieval water castle near Laarne in East Flanders, Belgium, just a short distance from the provincial capital Ghent.

Its origins lie in the 11th or 12th century when it was erected to guard the approaches to Ghent from the sea, and the first documentary mention of a “Court of Laerne” dates from 1294, confirming that a stone moated fortress was already in place more than 700 years ago. The castle’s oldest surviving element is the massive square donjon (keep) from that early period, while the four pointed round towers were also part of the original medieval layout, though the rest of the building has been repeatedly altered and rebuilt over the centuries.

During the 17th century, the medieval fortress was transformed into a comfortable summer residence or “maison de plaisance,” and in 1673 the estate was elevated to a barony; the main entrance was moved toward the village, a long avenue was laid out to the church, and four pavilions were added around the courtyard, giving the castle much of its present appearance.

In the 19th century Laarne lost its function as a summer residence, fell into ruin, and remained largely uninhabited until after the Second World War, when it was restored in several phases; in 1953 it came into the hands of the Royal Association of Historic Houses and Gardens of Belgium (now Herita), which continues to manage the property today. Inside, the castle is decorated with exquisite furnishings, historic tapestries and paintings, and it is especially famous for the renowned European silver collection of Claude Dallemagne, making it both an architectural and a museum highlight.