Mortagnekasteel, Manor house in Bellegem, Belgium
Mortagnekasteel is a manor house in Bellegem built from yellow-orange bricks with cemented sections and topped by a tiled gable roof with multiple dormer windows. The estate spreads across a large property accessible through two main driveways connected to Walleweg and Bellegemplaats streets.
Baron Maurice de Viron and his wife Marguerite Vercruysse commissioned the mansion in 1925, initially living in the barn while the main house was being completed. During World War II, the German military used the property as an artillery training ground, leading to the construction of Groeningekapel on the estate.
The de Viron family left their mark on the nearby Sint-Amanduskerk, where stained glass windows display the Eight Beatitudes alongside their family crest. These religious artworks show how the estate's residents were woven into their local community.
The estate is located in Bellegem near Kortrijk and can be viewed from the outside, with the best views from the adjacent streets. Access to the interior is limited, so consider visiting the nearby Sint-Amanduskerk to see related artworks connected to the property's history.
The property contains Groeningekapel, a small chapel built after World War II that stands as a reminder of the German military occupation. This chapel is often overlooked by visitors despite being an important testament to the site's wartime history.
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