About Me

My photo
Antwerp, Belgium
Welcome to the new, and improved version of Heaven in Belgium. I am Jientje. "Jientje", like the boys name Gene, followed by "chu"? "Gene-chu", that's how you pronounce my name. Yes!!!!That's it!! So now you know huh? I am an addicted blogger. I was born and raised and am still living in Belgium. Yeah, the "this-is- Tuesday-so-this-must-be-Brussels" kind of Belgium .. There, you see? Maybe you couldn't find it on the map, but at least I'm trying to change that a little by sharing lots of pictures. I really love to cook and create new things, like this blog for instance. I am a mother,a grandmothe and a wife too! They say I'm a traveler, and a photographer. Well that's just what they say, I love to make pictures, but I am far from professional ... If my English is not perfect, that would be because it's my second language. I do hope you'll forgive me any possible misspellings or strange vocabulary ... Now, as a result of all of the above, I get way too little sleep and my days are always much too short!

Followers

Heaven is in Belgium

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Poeke Castle Visited …

cityisland 017 copy2


Today I want to take you inside Poeke Castle.
Let’s start with a little history lesson first…

“It is unknown when the first fortification was constructed at Poeke, but references to it appear from 1139 onwards.

During the revolt of Ghent in 1452 against Philip the Good, the castle was taken by the Ghent militia. On 5 July 1452 Philip retook it, and had the Ghent militia present executed and the castle destroyed. Rebuilding it most likely took over a century.

In 1872, Baron Victor Pycke de Peteghem (1835 - 1875 bought the estates. He immediately initiated rebuilding works that lasted until 1875. The third building layer was integrated in a higher roof, and the interior and the gardens were renovated. There hardly remain any elements dating from before 1872. Additionally, the French garden was turned into an English garden.

Baroness Ines Pycke de Peteghem, was the last resident and owner of the castle.
In 1977 the castle and its 56 ha. park became the property of the municipality of Aalter, which now uses it for cultural meetings and festivities.” (Source Wikipedia)

IMG_9890

IMG_9896

Now … let’s have a look inside, shall we?

IMG_9929
The servants staircase leads us to the first floor.

IMG_9948The weather was not that bright that day, but I was very happy I was able to use the natural light for my photo shoot and I really like how the beige colors of the interior almost turn them into natural sepias.
To the left is this gallery with statues of “historic figures” in each corner.

IMG_9962
I’m not sure who they were though, I’m a sucker for names and data!

IMG_9936

IMG_9960
Let’s get inside one of the rooms.

IMG_9956

Sorry about the mess, the place is still being redecorated and restored.

IMG_9951

Great views all around …

IMG_9944

IMG_9947

Let’s get back to where we came from, but we’ll use the main staircase this time.

IMG_9943

IMG_9942
Beautiful, isn’t it?

IMG_9967

Window Views and Sepia Scenes are hosted by Mary the Teach. Thank you Mary!

15 comments:

Ballerina Girl said...

Really beautiful Jientje! I am amazed daily that you live amongst such beauty...everywhere around you seems to be prettier than the other!!
Thank you for sharing so generously with us!
BG

Moonrayvenne said...

I would love to tour some castles one day. We have very few here. I love the hallway! It's so wide. Thank you for sharing. (((HUGS)))

EG CameraGirl said...

It's a beautiful building and worthy of being restored. I would love to visit it one day to see it in person.

Mine:
Retired / Sepia Scenes

The French Bear said...

That is just amazing, what great photos you took. I love how it was almost a sepia tone all on it's own. Incredible architecture!!! I am sure if you stood there long enough you could feel the history!!!
I love that you shared this..... I have always wanted to see the inside!
Thank you,
Margaret B

Caution/Lisa said...

I've always had a strange fascination with servants' quarters and stairs. I can't imagine having a house big enough for that or the income to support a staff.

maryt/theteach said...

OMG, jientje, your photos are extraordinary! You use the light so well! I love the pink color of the outside walls. There is something about the fact that the mansion is empty! Marvelous! Good job! :)

moneythoughts said...

I loved the photos, but I could not help thinking about all that space going to waste. Certainly, it could be used for something besides sitting empty? I guess I am just too practical in my approach.

Loree said...

I love old palaces, castles and houses. There's so much history, so much atmosphere. G

Unknown said...

Oh it would be wonderful to have such a place and all the money you need to redecorate and bring it back to its original luster! The stories those walls could tell!!!!!!! thank you for the tour!

The Retired One said...

AWESOME!! Love these photos...can you imagine how GRAND it was in it's day?? If those walls could talk!

bazza said...

Beautiful. I can't for my visit to Bruges in May.
Rodenbach and chocolate, that's Heaven in Belgium for me!

Suburban Girl said...

I love this place, so glad to see inside. I would have never known of it without visiting your blog. I enjoy visiting there with you.

Gena D said...

What a goregeous place ... such great detail and a perfect spot to take photographs too!!! You make me want to go there too!!!
As always you images are very well captured!
Jientje have also been through you other posts below ... love them all the ruby tuesday scenes are really nice!!

take care and 'chat' soon!
Gena @ Thinking Aloud

Barbara said...

Oh I would be in heaven to visit this castle. Your series of captures are simple beautiful.

Christie, Describe Happy said...

Oh my gosh! First of all I'm a sucker for castles. Second of all you have my imagination swimming from the way you captured the tour of the castle and from the details that you shared. I can just picture myself near the main stairs taking it all in. Thank you for taking us with you!

What am I up to? Follow me on Twitter

    follow me on Twitter

    FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed

    Blog Archive