Kasteel Van Leefdaal

Bertem, Belgium, Belgium

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Kasteel van Leefdaal is a historic fortified castle in the village of Leefdaal, a part of the municipality of Bertem in Flemish Brabant, Belgium, mentioned as a lordship already in the 12th century and traditionally regarded as one of the oldest castles of Brabant, with possible origins in the late 11th century.

The present building is essentially a late‑medieval and 17th‑century castle: the foundations and part of the eastern side date from the 15th century, an important rebuild took place in 1626 (the date is still visible on the front), and the structure is a Renaissance castle with late‑medieval remains, including part of the original donjon (tower) and two round towers that are the only surviving remnants of the former gatehouse and drawbridge.

The lordship of Leefdaal (Levedale, Leven dale) originated in the 11th or 12th century, passed to the princely house of Merode, then to the noble house de Broekhoven, and in 1775 was acquired by the house de Liedekerke, which has remained in possession of the castle and its grounds, including associated farm buildings and a former watermill on the opposite side of the road, to the present day.