Castle of Freÿr, Renaissance castle and gardens in Hastière, Belgium
Castle of Freÿr is a Mosan Renaissance estate on the left bank of the Meuse River, in the Belgian municipality of Hastière. The buildings have symmetrical facades, and the grounds include formal gardens with water features, rows of fruit trees, and a direct view of the river.
The original fortress dates from the late 14th century and was gradually transformed into a residential manor after the mid-16th century. Over the next two centuries, new wings were added to the main building while the gardens slowly took on their current layout.
The name of the estate comes from a Latin word for beech forest, pointing to the woods that once covered this area. The formal gardens, with their geometric beds and clipped hedges, still reflect the tastes of the noble families who lived here for centuries.
The estate is open from March through November and can be visited with a guided tour or on your own, using the information panels placed around the grounds. The gardens and buildings cover a large area, so comfortable shoes and enough time are a good idea.
Some of the fruit trees in the garden are over three centuries old and were historically overwintered in wooden cases stored in specially built underground galleries. These underground spaces are still visible today and show just how much effort once went into keeping a garden like this alive through the winter.
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