Kasteel van Laarne

The origins of the Kasteel van Laarne date back to the 12th century, when a simple fortification on a pile foundation was built on this site. The first owner known by name was Diederik van Massemen. Through marriage, the property passed to the van Zottegem family, who subsequently called themselves “von Massemen”. Around 1300, a first stone building was erected and expanded into a pentagonal moated castle. The castle played an important role in the conflicts between Ghent and the Counts of Flanders, changed hands several times, and was besieged and captured by Ghent troops in 1382 and 1449. In the 16th century, the property came into the possession of the van der Moere family and later the van Gavere. During the religious unrest in 1570, the castle was plundered and burned, rendering it uninhabitable for a decade. In the mid-17th century, under the van Vilsteren family, the complex was extensively converted into a comfortable castle and elevated to a barony in 1673. Further alterations in the 18th century adapted the castle to contemporary tastes. After damage by French revolutionary troops in 1796, the castle fell into disrepair in the 19th century. In the early 20th century, restoration work began but was interrupted by World War I and the owner's death. In 1953, Robert Christian, comte de Ribaucourt, donated the dilapidated and ruinous complex to the Royal Association of Historic Residences and Gardens in Belgium, which carried out extensive restorations and opened the castle as a museum in 1967. For these efforts, the association received the Europa Nostra Award.

The Kasteel van Laarne is located in the town of Laarne in the province of East Flanders, which belongs to the Flanders region in Belgium. It stands at an elevation of approximately 7 m above sea level.

Today, the Kasteel van Laarne houses a restaurant, offering visitors culinary experiences in a historic setting.

• Kasteel van Zwijnaarde (castle), approx. 8.8 km away
• Gravensteen Castle (castle), approx. 8.9 km away
• Kasteel Reijvissche (castle), approx. 10.5 km away
• Kasteel van Leeuwergem (castle), approx. 15.3 km away