Renesse Castle

Renesse Castle - Kasteel de Renesse, Malle, East Flanders Province, Flemish Region, Kingdom of Belgium.

Willem van Berchem builds a castle in Oostmalle 1431 – 1464.

Willem van Berchem built a castle in Oostmalle between 1431 and 1464. However, nothing is known about this castle. The only visible remains are the keep, which now forms the hinge point of the castle, and the tournament beam (door jamb) that now adorns the knights' hall. In 1501, Willem's granddaughter Anna van Hamal married Frederik van Renesse, a descendant of the famous Zeeland family and, among other things, an advisor to Emperor Charles V.

Destruction of the castle by Maarten van Rossum 1542.

The Duke of Gelderland, Willem van Jülich, revolted against Emperor Charles V. His troops, led by the infamous Maarten van Rossum, pillaged the Kempen region. The village and the castle were burned down in 1542. Only the castle tower and the church tower remained standing.

Jan van Renesse builds a new castle 1545 – 1548.

The old tower was integrated into the horseshoe-shaped service buildings. A bridge connected the Neerhof and the Opperhof. The Herenhuis (Manor House) was a magnificent square building with four corner towers decorated with gold-colored slates. Inhabited by a prominent family, it lay on the route of many prominent figures. Among its guests were Emperor Charles V, Margaret of Parma, the Count and Countess of Egmont, William of Orange, and many others.

Deterioration and demolition of the Manor House 1635.

Jan's grandson, Willem, was the last resident of the castle. After his death (in 1630), the family moved to Elderen in Limburg around 1635. The Herenhuis gradually fell into disrepair. Repairs were delayed due to a lack of funds. Army quartering and the ravages of time took care of the rest. The village sheriff Spirlet, the lord's representative, attempted to manage the estates as best he could, but without success. Ultimately, the dilapidated Opperhof and the castle farm were completely demolished.

A new heyday 1830.

In 1830, Count Clement-Wenceslas de Renesse-Breidbach sold the Oostmalle castle estate to Viscount Léonard du Bus de Gisignies, Commissioner-General of the Dutch East Indies. He was subsequently appointed Minister of State by William I. He transformed the old Neerhof into a livable country house with large windows and an Empire-style interior. He expanded the surrounding estate and created a typical English garden with remarkable exotic trees, including sequoias and giant sequoias.

Return to the de Renesse-Breidbach family 1896.

In 1896, Isabelle, the only daughter of the eldest du Bus heir, married Maximiliaan de Renesse-Breidbach. Shortly after the birth of the sixth child, Isabelle died, and the count remarried, to Godelieve, the only daughter of the other du Bus heir. They had seven children. In 1920, Count Maximilian renovated the castle in the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style. Work was halted after the right wing was completed. The 16th-century left wing was spared but fell into disuse.

The castle during the World Wars 1941.

During both world wars, the Germans occupied the castle. The story of the infamous castle ghost originates from WWI. A German non-commissioned officer committed murder and suicide, and his ghost continues to haunt the castle. In 1941, bombs destroyed part of the left wing, killing a child of the domestic staff. In 1944, wounded English and Canadian soldiers were operated on and cared for in the hastily established field hospital.

Death of Mayor Thierry de Renesse 1973.

Thierry, Jean, and Frédéric de Renesse were the last counts to occupy the castle. Count Thierry, a son from Maximiliaan de Renesse-Breidbach's first marriage, succeeded his father as mayor in 1933 and remained in office, for a total of six years, until his death in 1973. After Count Thierry de Renesse's death in 1973, the castle fell into disrepair.

Purchase by the municipality 1983.

In 1983, the municipality purchased 27 hectares from the de Renesse family, of which 20 hectares are now managed by Domein de Renesse vzw and 7 hectares are available to the KVC Oostmalle Sport football club.

Establishment of Domein de Renesse vzw 1985.

In 1985, Domein de Renesse vzw was established, and several restoration phases followed to restore the castle to its former glory. Today, Domein de Renesse vzw has grown into a vibrant socio-cultural association with a passion for heritage, nature, and culture. We also want to highlight the tourist attractions of our municipality and continue to restore the castle to its former glory through future restoration projects.