Bossenstein Castle, Ranst, Belgium

The oldest part of the present Bossenstein Castle is the square keep, probably built before the 14th century by a Joannes van Busco or Van den Bossche. Not much later it went to the Van Berchem family. They are supposed to have made some major alterations to the castle. They sold it in 1544 to Guilelmus van der Rijt, who was a member of the city council of nearby Antwerp. In the deed of sale the castle was described as an impressive estate, with a lot of outbuildings. Of these outbuildings nothing survives.

In 1655 it was sold again, this time to Willem van Halmale. He rebuilt the castle into a beautiful residence, which was still fortified. During the 18th century the castle changed hands several times between several noble families. Between 1798 and 1843 the castle was used by religious institutions. In 1906 the castle underwent restoration works, saving it from slow decay.

At present the castle is surrounded by the grounds of an 18-hole golf and polo club. The terrain of this club is probably not freely accessible. There is however a long distance walking path leading through the golf course which is. As far as I know the castle itself can not be visited.

References:

castles.nl

User Reviews

Marc Tubex (7 months ago)
Forbidden area and you are also very unkindly reprimanded that it is private property, private property signs hang in the trees between the greenery and barely visible. Apparently it is an elite club for golfers there!!!! Also not worth looking at, there are much nicer places and castles in our beautiful country!

Carol Bamps (11 months ago)
Bossenstein Castle is a water castle near the Belgian town of Broechem. The first mention of the castle dates from 1346. Joannes de Busco or van den Bossche was then mentioned as owner. The castle is named after this person.

Lord Simon Ycra (3 years ago)
Very nice location, nice challenging 18 hole golf course, also nice 9 hole executive course.

Willy (3 years ago)
Had a nice golf day, preparation for interclub

Carl Bux (3 years ago)
Mooi golfterrein.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

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Lorca Castle

Castle of Lorca (Castillo de Lorca) is a fortress of medieval origin constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times.

Muslim Era

It has not been determined exactly when a castle or fortress was first built on the hill. The first written documentation referring to a castle at Lorca is of Muslim origin, which in the 9th century, indicates that the city of Lurqa was an important town in the area ruled by Theudimer (Tudmir). During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

After Reconquista

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

Alfonso X ordered the construction of the towers known as the Alfonsina and Espolón Towers, and strengthened and fixed the walls. Hardly a trace of the Muslim fortress remained due to this reconstruction. Muslim traces remain in the foundation stones and the wall known as the muro del Espaldón.

The Jewish Quarter was found within the alcazaba, the Moorish fortification, separated from the rest of the city by its walls. The physical separation had the purpose of protecting the Jewish people in the town from harm, but also had the result of keeping Christians and Jews separate, with the Christians inhabiting the lower part of town.

The remains of the Jewish Quarter extended over an area of 5,700 square m, and 12 homes and a synagogue have been found; the synagogue dates from the 14th century and is the only one found in the Murcia. The streets of the town had an irregular layout, adapted to the landscape, and is divided into four terraces. The synagogue was in the central location, and around it were the homes. The homes were of rectangular shape, with various compartmentalized rooms. The living quarters were elevated and a common feature was benches attached to the walls, kitchens, stand for earthenware jars, or cupboards.

Modern history

With the disappearance of the frontier after the conquest of Granada in 1492, Lorca Castle no longer became as important as before. With the expulsion of the Jews by order of Ferdinand and Isabella, Lorca Castle was also depopulated as a result. The castle was abandoned completely, and was almost a complete ruin by the 18th century. In the 19th century, the castle was refurbished due to the War of Spanish Independence. The walls and structures were repaired or modified and its medieval look changed. A battery of cannons was installed, for example, during this time. In 1931 Lorca Castle was declared a National Historic Monument.

Currently, a parador (luxury hotel) has been built within the castle. As a result, archaeological discoveries have been found, including the Jewish Quarter.

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