En un regard
Le château en bref
Batenborch Castle stands at Peutie, a section of Vilvoorde, at number 40 Vijfhoekstraat. It is a former village castle within an estate largely enclosed by walls. According to the historian J. Verbesselt, its name suggests an earlier "borch" or motte dating from before the 12th century, but no trace of it remains. The estate is first mentioned in 1430. It was almost entirely destroyed during the religious troubles of the 16th century. In 1598, the Laethem and Provyns families sold this heavily dilapidated complex to Robert de Moens, lord of Zelem, and his wife Catharina de Baudequin. In 1601, Robert de Moens obtained high, middle and low justice. Widowed, Catharina restored the castle in 1615–1616 and redeveloped the estate with tree-lined avenues. The de Baudequin family left Peutie in 1808, and the property was subsequently leased and sold several times. The castle retains a 17th-century core, transformed in the 18th and 19th centuries. A corner turret bears the inscription "ANNO 1730", and a stone dated 1869 surmounts the main entrance. To the south stands a half-timbered steward's house whose core may date back to the 16th century, as well as a 19th-century carriage house. Since 1974, the estate has been occupied by businesses and serves as offices.
