En un regard
Le château en bref
Rijsdaal Castle is a neoclassical maison de maître from the second half of the 19th century, set in its own park in Spalbeek (Hasselt, Limburg). It was built by H. J. Pollenus (1796-1879), mayor of Spalbeek. The main block, a double-fronted house three bays wide on two storeys under a hipped roof, is of brick on a plinth with Belgian blue stone elements. The principal façade has pilasters, a triangular pediment decorated with a sundial, two oculi and a stone-framed doorway, approached by a flight of steps flanked by two recumbent lions. An annex, a barn-cum-coach house and a transverse barn complete the ensemble. The property is recognised as protected architectural heritage in Flanders (designation "Kasteel Rijsdaal", in force since 1 February 2018). In autumn 1944, units of the division that liberated Hasselt were quartered on the estate until December, and the resistance was very active in the surrounding area. Bought in 2018 by the Van De Sande family, the castle is today a private property whose grounds are opened to the public on occasion, notably during the 2024 Liberation festivities.