Château des Comtes, Castle in Mouscron, Belgium
Château des Comtes is a rectangular castle in Mouscron with a two-story facade in Tournai style, crowned by a steep slate roof and featuring a northern stair turret and a southeast corner turret. The structure is surrounded by original moats and preserves its historical appearance.
In the early 15th century, Oste de la Barre transformed a farm called Ramées into a fortified castle, which later became known as Château des Comtes. This conversion marked the shift from an agricultural property to a defensive stronghold.
The castle houses the Marcel Marlier Center, dedicated to the local illustrator who created the character Martine and became known throughout the region. Visitors can learn about her artistic work and how she shaped children's literature in Europe.
The grounds invite educational walks along the moats, where visitors can fully understand the original fortification. The Marcel Marlier Center in the outbuildings displays interactive exhibitions year-round for all ages.
A southeast corner turret once served as both a well and a dovecote at the same time, showing the practical use of space in medieval fortifications. Such multifunctional structures are rarely preserved and make this castle particularly valuable.
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