Belgium Groot-Bijgaarden Castle

The castle was the seat of the seigniory Bijgaarden, which acquired its goods in Bijgaarden and Kobbegem from St Bavo's Abbey of Ghent. Possibly the first Bijgaarden castle was built in the second half of the 12th century. A keep was erected in the first half of the 15th century and is the oldest part of the castle. The keep has had no function since the 18th century, and was lowered twice in 1840 and 1890.

The present castle was built around 1640 and is surrounded by a wide moat.

In 1486, Willem Estor, from an old Brussels family, acquired the seigniory of Bijgaarden and the castle. In the 17th century, the domain came into the hands of Godfrey de Boisschot. Later, it passed to the Zierotin family and at the end of the 18th century came into the hands of the Thurn family and Taxis. In the 19th century, the castle changed hands several times before it was sold in 1902 to Raymond Pelgrims, who saved it from ruin.

In 1940 the castle was protected as a monument.