Picture this. You stand before Karreveld a majestic castle-farm in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. Its history whispers secrets of emperors and bricklayers. Karreveld’s name means Charles’ Field. Legend claims Emperor Charles V passed through. However official documents disprove this. The name likely comes from “Karreelvelt” meaning “brick earth field”. Many brickyards operated nearby in the early 20th century.
Karreveld boasts a rich past. In 1253 Duke Jean I of Brabant gifted the estate to his wife. Later in 1656 it changed hands to a Spanish lord. The Villegas family acquired it in 1780. They held it until 1930 when Molenbeek-Saint-Jean purchased Karreveld. This saved it from demolition for a new boulevard.
Before World War I Karreveld faced destruction. The planned Grande Ceinture boulevards threatened it. But preservationists intervened. The estate served various purposes. It was an aeronauts’ base for gas balloons. A temporary velodrome replaced the one in Bois de la Cambre. The castle even became a dairy.
Molenbeek’s acquisition in 1930 was a turning point. The municipality bought the 16-hectare estate for 400000 francs. Part became the boulevard and adjacent streets. The rest became a park around the restored castle. Mayor Edmond Machtens commissioned architect Pierre De Bruyne. The task was to save the crumbling building.
War and reconstruction delayed restoration until the 1950s. Molenbeek wrestled with the balance between attracting the bourgeoisie and preserving heritage. The 1955 classification of the castle and site settled the debate. Karreveld became a key attraction. The municipality used the 1958 World’s Fair as justification for funding the restoration. They cleverly timed the inauguration for August when the fair was in full swing.
The restoration uncovered beautiful Spanish brickwork previously hidden under whitewash. The foundations were rebuilt. The castle was partly reconstructed between 1952 and 1958. It blends farmhouse and manor styles. A monumental pathway from the Château d’Havre stands on a podium. A tavern with Elizabethan-style balustrades adds a unique touch.
The interior reflects various eras. The living room is Renaissance. Upstairs rooms are French-style. The attic has exposed beams and a monastic-style meeting room. An oratory was recreated in the former inn’s left wing under the bell tower. New buildings replaced the ones on the west and north sides.
The park’s redesign respects history. The castle moat is now a pond. A half-moon of stonework houses benches. A formal garden with flower beds and geometric hedges lies behind. The garden extends to a tree canopy shielding it from the boulevard.
Two paved paths border the site. The first is an impressive entrance from Boulevard Louis Mettewie. The second connects Avenue Jean de la Hoese to Avenue de la Liberté. It borders a large lawn with rare trees including araucarias and junipers. Remarkably eight conifer species grow here.
Today Karreveld hosts weddings. The barn hosts cultural events like the Christmas Market. Since 1999 the Bruxellons! Festival takes place. It showcases theatre and other performing arts. The municipal council also meets here.
Karreveld. A journey through history a testament to preservation. A hidden gem in the heart of Brussels.