Castle Kasteel Bossenstein

Bossenstein CastleBossenstein Castle (also known as Halmaleshof or Allemanshof) is a moated castle near the Belgian town of Broechem. The first mention of the castle dates back to 1346. Joannes de Busco (or van den Bossche) was recorded as the owner at that time, and the castle was named after him. A defining feature of the castle is the keep (donjon), which is one of its oldest parts. The wings were added at a later stage. The castle is surrounded by a moat, spanned by a brick bridge with pointed and basket arches. At the center of the building lies a courtyard surrounded by galleries.HistoryThroughout history, the building has changed hands several times. The Van Berghem family owned the castle for a long period during the Middle Ages. After changing hands a few more times, the building stood empty for a period around 1900. The castle was damaged during the First World War but was restored afterwards. A golf course, the Bossenstein Golf and Polo Club, has been built around the castle.InteriorThe eastern residential wing dates from the late 15th or early 16th century. In 1660, the west wing, south wing, and adjacent gallery were added to the castle. The interior was restored to its 17th and 18th-century state and is now furnished as a residence. The facades, roofs, and joinery were carefully restored while preserving the historical layers. The original materials were also retained for the interior.