Kasteel van Schoonhoven

Kasteel van Schoonhoven is a castle in Aarschot built in a U-shaped layout with iron sandstone as its primary material. The main facade features a triangular pediment, while the side wings display curved arches.

A castle occupied this site from the 13th century, but the current building rose around 1770 under architect Jean-Antoine van der Noot. This new structure replaced the earlier fortification and represented a shift toward a neoclassical residence.

The castle takes its name from the Schoonhoven family who shaped it across generations. Today the grounds reflect how Belgian nobility lived and built their homes in the 18th century.

The castle remains privately owned and opens to visitors only during special events held on the grounds. Parking is available at nearby Recreatieoord Schoonhoven along Diestsesteenweg.

From 1903 to 1908, the castle sheltered Les Clercs de Saint-Viateur, a French religious order fleeing persecution in their home country. This episode reveals how aristocratic estates sometimes became refuges for communities in distress.

Location: Aarschot

Address: Diestsesteenweg 10

GPS coordinates: 50.98238,4.85185

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:25