Groot-Bijgaarden Castle

Dilbeek, Belgium

Groot-Bijgaarden Castle is 12th-century castle in Groot-Bijgaarden in the municipality of Dilbeek, Flemish Brabant, Belgium. The castle was built for Almaric Bigard, the first lord of Bigard.

The castle is surrounded by a wide moat spanned by a bridge with five arches, leading to the drawbridge. The central part of the gatehouse dates from the 14th century. A four-storey tower (built 1347), 30 metres high, is by the side of the gatehouse. The castle is in the Flemish Renaissance style, with red brick and a slate roof. In 1902, the castle was very dilapidated and Raymond Pelgrims Bigard began renovations that lasted 30 years.

Garden architect Louis Fuchs created the 14 hectare park alongside the castle at the start of the 20th century. The park is open in spring every year since 2003 for an international flower exhibition with tulips from the Netherlands.

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Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Belgium

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Yun Hsia Ho (ㄚ蛤) (11 months ago)
Very pretty garden with thousands of tulip's stems. You're allowed to take pictures with flowers created with your magnificent imagination. Was here two years ago, it was a absolutely wonderful experience. So this time I came with my family from Taiwan, but we were more than disappointed. There was even no way to have a refund, and the toilet was not free. Terrible service. We may not come back again.
Mateja K (12 months ago)
It's a very nice castle on a large estate. Every year, Floralia - exhibition of more than a million tulips - takes place at this castle. It is very picturesque. Maybe just a word of caution - after the rain, the ground can get rather muddy, so it is better to put on rubber boots or hiking shoes.
Lady's Journey In Belgium (12 months ago)
It's beautiful place to see a lot of spring flowers ? they have place to eat also & they also sell some flowers & bulbs that you can bring home. Nice to visit!
Dani Baal (12 months ago)
Floralia Brussels offers a stunning display of floral beauty, showcasing a diverse array of flowers and plants. The exhibition provides a delightful experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike, with its vibrant colors and intricate arrangements. A must-visit for anyone seeking inspiration and relaxation amidst nature's splendor , but entry comes with a hefty price tag. Additionally, the 5 € parking fee seems unnecessary since I ended up on street parking ,and no one to check the parking fees.
Egor Martiniuc (12 months ago)
Visit this place with family. magnificent flowers colors. Don't by online parking, check it on the place, I simply didn't have a spot, and I found a public one. Take cash for toilet you need to pay for it.
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Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.