Rood Kasteel, Castle in Guigoven, Belgium

Rood Kasteel is a castle in Kortessem with a U-shaped layout built from limestone and brick. Its facade displays features of Maasland Renaissance style, reflecting its evolution through different periods of construction.

Rood Kasteel was first mentioned in the 13th century as a water fortress, its moat fed by the Mombeek and a nearby spring. Heavily damaged in the wars of the second half of the 16th century, it was gradually rebuilt from the 17th to the 19th century as a castle farm without military role. The present residence dates from 1619.

The castle was the seat of the lords of Guigoven, and the village church and farms grew around it in the Mombeek valley. A carved image of unknown origin is set into the wall of the gate tower, between the living quarters and the stables. The gate tower's needle spire marks the entrance visitors pass through today.

The grounds sit in a river valley and are readily accessible to visitors. Today it operates as an event space with restaurant service, allowing visitors to experience the castle while dining in a historical setting.

A pond on the grounds survives as the last trace of the original moat that once encircled the entire fortress. This water body hints at how the structure was once defended through its relationship with water.