Imagine a small castle in the countryside. A silent river flows nearby. That was Kasteel Pellenberg in its earliest days. This castle is in Machelen. It’s quite interesting. You might not expect to find it here.
Kasteel Pellenberg was Machelen’s first castle. It appeared during the Frankish period. It served as a noble residence. In the 17th century, Kasteel Belvèdere replaced it. The Kasteel Pellenberg gained its current look in the 17th century. Later, it became a villa. It had a large park. Now that park is mostly the Woluwe Valley. The castle then became a rest home and apartments. In 1985, the municipality of Machelen bought it. It is now the public library.
Originally, a fortress stood here. It sat along the Woluwe River. It was the seat of the lords of Machelen. The fortress was badly damaged during religious conflicts. By 1594, only ruins remained.
Around 1648, the fortress was rebuilt. It was done in Flemish Renaissance style. The older house and tower were kept. By the early 18th century, it was a moated country estate. In 1792, Melchior Joseph Alexandre de Villegas de Pellenberg bought the estate.
In 1926, Kasteel Pellenberg became a rest home and pension. In the mid-20th century, it became an apartment building. The municipality purchased it in 1986. It underwent major restoration. In 1991, it reopened as a social-cultural center and library.
Key features remain. The gatehouse is flanked by two turrets. The octagonal tower dates to 1648. These are important remnants of the earlier buildings of Kasteel Pellenberg.
The castle’s history stretches back centuries. It began as a medieval castle. It likely dates to the 13th century. It continued the Frankish Court on Stretem. In the 16th century, religious troubles caused damage. The nearby church also suffered. In 1792, Melchior Jozef de Villegas bought the entire domain. He was the baron of Pellenberg. The castle gets its current name from him. From 1926, it served as a rest home and family pension. Later, it became an apartment building.
The municipality bought it in 1986. Restoration followed from 1988 to 1991. The old core was retained. This includes the house and the tower. But the overall look was updated. It aligns with the Flemish Renaissance style. On November 15, 1991, the renovated Kasteel Pellenberg reopened. It now serves as a socio-cultural center. It also houses the public library. Today, Kasteel Pellenberg stands as a testament to Machelen’s rich history. It has transformed over the centuries. It now serves the community as a vibrant hub for culture and learning.