Pecsteen Castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

Pecsteen Castle stands in the heart of Ruddervoorde, in the municipality of Oostkamp. An earlier residence, probably dating from the early 18th century, already appears on the ommeloper plan of 1724–1729. The estate, in private hands by 1758, later appears on the Ferraris Map. Charles-Jean Dhont acquired it in 1783, and his descendants, the Pecsteens, retained it afterwards. Around 1815, the house received three towers. In 1889, Baron Gustave Pecsteen de Maldeghem-de Vrière had an orangery added. The present castle was rebuilt around 1900–1906 in the neo-Renaissance style: orange brick and natural stone, a slate mansard roof, two storeys above a partial basement, and towers. The architect Stephan Mortier is cited by only one author. The picturesque park, laid out by Jules Buyssens (plan of 1904), includes a pond, a bowling green, a grotto and an ice house. Two coach houses and three sharecropping farms complete the ensemble, which was recognised as built heritage in May 2024. The house remains a private property, and its discreet park forms a small green lung at the centre of the village.