Belgium - Sippenaeken, Castle Beusdael

Castle Beusdael is located outside the village of Sippenaeken. The castle - surrounded by a moat - is characterized by three main parts: an imposing limestone tower, dating back to the 13th century (12 meters wide and up to 28 meters below the cornice with thick walls 1.5 to 2.5 meters at the base), the main building in stone and bricks from the 16th century, and finally the neo-Gothic chapel of the late 19th century. To enter the castle, you cross a stone bridge over the moat with a gate building.

The first Lords of Beusdael appear in the 14th century. This family was powerful and owned several properties, like the Dutch castles of Geusselt and Goedenraad. By marriages and heritages the Castle Beusdael transferred from the Van Beusdael family to a lot of noble families until the 19th century. In 1875 it was inherited by Count Florent d'Oultremont, who ordered major alterations to the castle.

Castle Beusdael had several other owners until it was bought by the Antoine family in 1976. The castle is private property and still inhabited and not accessible.