Renesse Castle

The origins of the estate date back to 1374 when Jan van Harduemont sold his domain in Oostmalle to Costijn van Berchem. Between 1431 and 1464, Willem van Berchem built the original Oostmalle Castle. A fire in 1542, caused by William, Duke of Guelder, during the conflict with Emperor Charles V, destroyed the complex. A new castle was built from 1545 to 1548 under Jan van Renesse VIII. After the death of the last resident from the Renesse family, Willem van Renesse, in 1630, the main building fell into disrepair. In 1793, it was demolished, and the courtyard followed between 1778 and 1830. In 1830, Leonard Pierre Joseph du Bus de Gisignies acquired the property and renovated an old service building. After World War I, Maximilian, Count de Renesse-Breidbach, began rebuilding in the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style, which remained unfinished.