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Tillegem Castle, lies south of the city of Bruges. The present castle originally dates back to the 12th or 13th century when it was owned by Lord Jan van Voormezele. It was built as a square moated castle, flanked by square corner towers.
During the next centuries the castle was owned by numerous rich families from Bruges, who rebuilt it several times, maybe due to wartime damages but also to make it more comfortable.
In 1879 Tillegem Castle was acquired by Baron Eugène Charles de Peñaranda de Franchimont. He had the castle rebuilt to its present appearance in Flemish Gothic Revival style by the architect Jean-Baptiste de Béthune.
The castle was privately inhabited until 1980. After that, it went to the provincial government. The castle was subsequently restored and made suitable for offices.
References:The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.