Top 20 Castles around Zwijndrecht

Few buildings in the Waasland region hold such a mythical allure as the Graventoren (Counts' Tower) in Rupelmonde. The names associated with it certainly contribute to that. This tower, for example, is the remnant of a moated castle with no fewer than 17 towers, once owned by the Counts of Flanders. This colossal fortress protected the Scheldt River from attackers and conquerors. Mercator's Dungeon Mercator also plays a key role in this story. When he shared his revolutionary insights with the world, he was promptly sent to the dungeon by the church authorities. Guess where that dungeon was located? Exactly, in the cellars of the Graventoren. Here he was imprisoned for seven months, accused of heresy. A Bloody History Mercator, however, was not the only one to enter the cellars of the moated castle. Many dissidents suffered the same fate, and often worse. A stay in the dungeons of the Graventoren (Counts' Tower) often ended with a bloody decapitation. While the Counts of Flanders may have enjoyed legendary status in history, they were certainly not gentlemen. Count Robert of Bethune once even threw his own son in jail here, accused of high treason. A kind of chamber arrest before its time, you might say. At the end of the 17th century, the moated castle came to an end. The fortress was drastically destroyed, and the rubble was reused for other buildings. For example, the church of Rupelmonde was built with materials from the castle ruins.

Unfortunately the tower was not open, but it is still a beautiful site to walk past. A nice surprise and definitely worth taking a detour from your route.

Remains of the 12th century moated castle built by the Counts of Flanders to defend the Scheldt and the Rupel.

Great start and end point for a drink or cake.

Part of a former ring rampart castle on the right bank of the Scheldt. A beautiful building.

Right nearby is this entertaining hedge maze.

Sterckshof... is no longer a museum! (But DIVA is all the more so) Gerard Sterck was apparently not happy with a silver museum in 'his' castle. Well, his words proved prophetic. The history of Sterckshof began as early as the 13th century when the castle consisted of a farmstead surrounded by a moat. After several centuries of changes in ownership, renovations, and destruction, this castle, or what remained of it, came into the hands of the Province of Antwerp. They rebuilt it in the 1930s in neo-Renaissance style. Initially, Sterckshof was a museum for Arts and Crafts, until Jonkheer Pierre Lunden donated no less than 96 pieces of silver to the museum in 1976. This donation of art objects from the 16th century to the present day formed the basis of the extensive silver collection exhibited here. Since May 2018, this collection, along with the diamond collection, can be admired at DIVA. Currently, Sterckshof houses artists' studios and the cozy Bar Stark. Source: https://www.schattenvandeurne.be/sterckshof

The domain and buildings were constructed in the 16th century as a country residence. From 1618 to 1773 it was owned by the Jesuit fathers. In 1776, the domain came into the possession of a wealthy Antwerp banker, Jan Baptist Cogels, who had the old castle demolished. He then built a new Hof van Plaisantie. By the standards of the 18th century, this building, which we see now, was a modern castle. Now you can enjoy the grandeur of bygone times here.