Kasteel van Poeke

The origins of the Kasteel van Poeke date back a long way, with a first documented mention of a castle in 1139. In 1382, the complex played a role in the conflict between Count Louis II of Flanders and the city of Ghent, as the Lords of Poeke were loyal vassals of the Flemish counts. It was destroyed in 1452 during the Ghent revolt against Philip III of Burgundy, after which its reconstruction took over a century. Following the death of Jan III Poeke in 1563, the estate passed to the de Mastaing family, distant relatives of the original lords. Further changes of ownership followed, including in 1588 to Philibert Delrye and in 1597 to Jean de Preudhomme. Between 1658 and 1664, Markus-Antonius de Preudhomme d'Hailly had the fortress converted into a castle.