Leeuwergem Castle, 18th-century castle in Elene, Zottegem, Belgium.
Leeuwergem Castle is an 18th-century estate in Zottegem featuring French-influenced design with a square floor plan and rococo details. The facade and interior display refined shell motifs and curved lines typical of its architectural style.
Construction took place between 1762 and 1764 under the direction of nobleman Pieter Emmanuel d'Hane from Ghent. This new building replaced an earlier fortified structure that had occupied the site since the 15th century.
The castle's name comes from the village of Leeuwergem, next to Elene in Zottegem. The lords of Leeuwergem and Elene, a branch of the lords of Zottegem, held the site from the late 12th century; Robrecht van Massemen and Elizabeth van Leeuwergem rebuilt the castle as a summer residence in the first half of the 15th century. The baroque gardens, laid out between 1763 and 1775, can be visited on request.
The castle stands between the village centres of Elene and Leeuwergem, in the municipality of Zottegem. The baroque gardens laid out between 1763 and 1775 can be visited on request, so arrange access before travelling. The building itself is privately owned and was sold in 2025, with renovation work under way.
The castle was used as a filming location for the 2016 film The Exception. The baroque gardens and hunting forest were laid out between 1763 and 1775, and the gardens can be visited on request.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,417 contributors worldwide.