Prinsenkasteel, Grimbergen, Belgium

Prinsenkasteel ('Prince Castle') was founded in the 14th century by the lords of Grimbergen. The present castle was built around 1500 on the foundations of the previous fortress. In 1686 the Count of Grimbergen, Philippe-François de Glymes, was given the title of Prince by Charles II of Spain. The castle then became a princely estate, hence its name. After being damaged during the War of the Austrian Succession, it was restored in 1745 and embellished in the 1770s.

From 1901 to 1933, Premonstratensians from the abbey of Sainte-Anne de Bonlieu-sur-Roubion, expelled from France following the expulsion of religious congregations, were welcomed in the castle.

The castle ruins were bought by the municipality of Grimbergen in 1947. In 1978, the municipality also acquired the annex building, now called the Guldendal, which was formerly used as a stable, a carriage house and service building.

References:

Wikipedia

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Jeroen van Dam (2 years ago)
Ruin of a castle, burned in WWII.

Bruno Carlot (4 years ago)
Quiet place

Jan Jasiewicz (4 years ago)
Castle ruins surrounded by small park. Quite nice place for afternoon walk.

Julie Clover (5 years ago)
What a great piece of history so close to Brussels. Great place to walk around but not very big.

Balazs Jarosi (5 years ago)
Nice castle with moat and a nice park. Recommended

Prinsenkasteel

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus