Leslie Massey
Bornem Castle, also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is a country house in Belgium. It was formerly a castle, located in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp. The earliest fortification on the site dates back to the 10th or 11th centuries and was intended to defend against Viking incursions. The present house was built on the same site at the end of the 19th century, after the remains of the 16th-century building were demolished. The castle is currently owned by the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde family, with John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, the 14th Earl of Bornem, as the resident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Bornem, Antwerp, Belgium |
| Other Names | Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, Kasteel van Bornem |
| Type | Country House, formerly a castle |
| River | Stands on the Oude Schelde, a tributary of the river Scheldt |
| Earliest Fortification | 10th or 11th century |
| Purpose of Earliest Fortification | Defence against the incursions of the Vikings/Normans |
| Later Castle Built | 1587 |
| Later Castle Built By | Spanish nobleman Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem |
| Present House Built | End of the 19th century |
| Present House Built By | Hendrik Beyaert |
| Present House Built After | Remains of the 16th-century building had been demolished |
| Current Owner | John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, 14th Earl of Bornem |
| Current Owner's Family | House Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde |
What You'll Learn
Bornem Castle's history
Bornem Castle, also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is a country house located in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The building stands on the Oude Schelde, a tributary of the Scheldt. The earliest fortification on the site dates back to the 10th or 11th centuries and was built to defend against Viking incursions.
In 1587, a Spanish nobleman, Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem, and lord of Bobadilla, built a manor house on the foundations of the older building. Pedro Coloma was a follower of Alexander Farnese. The property was then leased by the family de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, who became the outright owners in 1773.
The present house was constructed at the end of the 19th century, according to plans by Hendrik Beyaert, after the remains of the 16th-century building had been demolished. The castle remains in the ownership of the de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde family, with the current resident being John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, the 14th Count of Bornem.
The castle is open to the public, offering guided tours and access to the castle garden, carriage museum, and experience centre. Visitors can explore the 18th-century rooms and admire the collection of engravings by masters such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The castle is known for its fairytale-like appearance, with a tree-lined avenue, entrance bridge, gatekeeper's houses, turrets, and a moat.
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Bornem Castle's architecture
Bornem Castle, also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is located in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The building stands on the Oude Schelde, a tributary of the Scheldt. The earliest fortification on the site dates back to the 10th or 11th century and was built to defend against Viking incursions.
In 1587, a Spanish nobleman, Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem, constructed a manor house on the foundations of the older building. This fortified Renaissance castle was renovated at the end of the 19th century by architect Hendrik Beyaert, who transformed it into a large moated castle. The current structure was built on the same site, following the demolition of the 16th-century building.
The castle's location along the Oude Schelde inspired Beyaert to design a monument that appears to float on the water's surface. The result is an ornate neo-Gothic castle with a peaceful and residential character, equivalent in style to the castles of the Loire in France. The castle boasts a magnificent interior, elegantly decorated in Louis XV and Louis XVI styles with Italian accents.
The vestibule features a 17th-century Flemish cabinet crafted from precious materials such as tortoise shell, ivory, and ebony. The dining room, located on the ground floor, displays beautiful paintings of 16th-century rulers and intricate decorations. In addition, the castle adheres to 19th-century etiquette, featuring separate salons for ladies and gentlemen.
The ceiling paintings by Thierry Thenaers are a notable feature, and the smoking room is richly adorned with historic paintings and antique furniture. The castle also houses a library containing rare books, including incunabula and medieval manuscripts.
The current resident and owner of Bornem Castle is John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, the 14th Count of Bornem, who continues to preserve this unique Belgian heritage.
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Bornem Castle's art
Bornem Castle, also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is a country house located in Bornem, Belgium. The building stands on the Oude Schelde, a tributary of the Scheldt. The earliest fortification on the site dates back to the 10th or 11th centuries and was built to defend against Viking incursions. While the castle no longer exists in its original form, its rich history and artistic legacy live on through the centuries.
The castle's artistic significance is evident in its architecture and the treasures it houses. In the 16th century, a manor house was built on the foundations of the older fortification by Spanish nobleman Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem. The property was later leased by the family de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, who became the outright owners in 1773. The current structure, built at the end of the 19th century to plans by renowned architect Hendrik Beyaert, showcases beautiful design and attention to detail.
The castle's interior is a testament to its artistic value. Visitors can explore the castle's rich history and discover valuable Flemish masterpieces during guided tours. The castle is also home to a carriage museum, where visitors can learn about the historical carriages and gain insight into life in and around the castle throughout the ages.
In addition to the architectural and artistic marvels within the castle walls, the castle grounds offer a captivating setting. The castle garden, accessible only with a guide, provides a serene backdrop to the historical splendour of the castle. The experience centre, which is wheelchair-friendly, offers an extensive overview of life on the castle grounds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the castle's history and enjoy the unique view of the castle itself.
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Bornem Castle's owners
Bornem Castle, also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is located in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The earliest fortification on the site dates back to the 10th or 11th century and was built to defend against Viking incursions.
In 1587, a manor house was constructed on the foundations of the older building by Pedro Coloma, the Spanish nobleman who was Baron of Bornhem and Lord of Bobadilla, and a follower of Alexander Farnese. The property was then leased by the family de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, who became the outright owners in 1773.
The current structure, built at the end of the 19th century to plans by Hendrik Beyaert, is owned by the house Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, with the current resident being John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, the 14th Count of Bornem.
- Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem
- Alexandre Coloma, second Baron of Bornhem
- Pierre Coloma, Viscount of Dourlens, third Baron of Bornhem
- Jean-François Coloma, fourth Baron and (1658) 1st Count of Bornhem
- François-Claude Coloma, 2nd Count of Bornhem
- Charles-Joseph-François Coloma, 3rd Count of Bornhem, died 1724
- Marie-Florence Coloma, 4th Countess of Bornhem
- Aldegonde-Eleonore de Lannoy; Lady of Bornem: married Baudry-Adelbert de Marnix.
- Claude-François de Marnix
- Charles-Ghislain, Count de Marnix
- Louis-Joseph, Count de Marnix
- 10th Count of Bornem
- Victor de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde
- 11th Count of Bornem
- Ferdinand de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde
- 12th Count of Bornem
- John I de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde
- 13th Count of Bornem
- Adrien de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde
- John II de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, 14th Count of Bornem
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Bornem Castle's location
Bornem Castle, also known as the Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde Castle, is located in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. The castle stands on the Oude Schelde, a tributary of the Scheldt river. The earliest fortifications on the site date back to the 10th or 11th centuries and were built to defend against Viking incursions.
Over the centuries, the castle has undergone several transformations. In 1587, a manor house was built on the foundations of the older fortifications by the Spanish nobleman Pedro Coloma, Baron of Bornhem. The property was then leased by the family de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, who became the outright owners in 1773.
The present-day country house was constructed at the end of the 19th century, following the demolition of the 16th-century building. The current resident and owner of Bornem Castle is John de Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde, the 14th Earl or Count of Bornem.
The castle is open to visitors and offers guided tours, providing an insight into the rich history of the castle and the lives of its inhabitants. The castle grounds, including the castle garden, carriage museum, and experience centre, are accessible to the public during specific periods and are a testament to Belgium's unique architectural and cultural heritage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bornem Castle is in Belgium. It is located in Bornem, in the province of Antwerp.
The earliest fortification on the site dates back to the 10th or 11th century and was intended to defend against Viking incursions. In 1587, a manor house was built on the foundations of the older building by Pedro Coloma, a Spanish nobleman. The present house was built at the end of the 19th century by Hendrik Beyaert, after the 16th-century building was demolished.
Yes, you can visit Bornem Castle by appointment from mid-April to October. Without an appointment, the castle is open to visitors on specific dates in August and September.
