Achtendries Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

Achtendries Castle, also known as Voorde Castle (kasteel Voorde), stands in Oostakker (Ghent), Orchideestraat 51. The place name ‘achtene’ is said to date back to prehistoric times, and a manorial farm existed on the Achtendries before 630. The castle was once surrounded by moats and linked by an avenue to the Achtene farm, of which only a circular brick gateway pillar survives. The present house, in the classical style, was built on the remains of an older structure from the late Middle Ages, visible in the vaulted cellar with its central column (possibly 15th century). An entrance plaque bears the date 1774, of unknown origin but considered consistent with the construction. The estate was bought in 1805 by Morel de Westgaver, then passed to the de Kerchove de Denterghem family, whose coat of arms adorns the pediment; since 1978 it has belonged to the De Bruyn family. The brick façade has nine bays over two storeys, with a central projecting section topped by a triangular pediment and a perron flanked by two recumbent lions; the interior was largely remodelled in the 19th century, apart from a service staircase with a carved handrail from the late 18th century.