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the imagination the castle walls. Above all in autumn, when the leaves of the various quite like an old building. Or even better: deciduous trees burst into a bright array of yellows, reds and browns, a castle. They are places for heading oﬀ the scene is quite simply overwhelming. An impressive bridge with on journeys into the past, exploring anthree archways then leads across the moat to the inner courtyard of cient halls, chambers, attics and cellars, the castle. The ensemble has been listed for its historic significance – possibly even stumbling across undiscovalong with the entire private estate – since 1995. ered treasures, and reigniting childhood Obvious questions are bound to spring to mind here: How is it possible make a castle a genuinely cosy home? How can a sense of dreams. Belgium is rich in castles, stately homes and splendid old buildings with homeliness be brought about in its lofty halls and vast rooms? What gorgeous gardens and sprawling parks, furnishings and which colours are suitable when it comes to decoratall set amidst the most charming of scenery. Among the real gems ing a house that is more than 150 years old? What gives the antique here are, of course, moated castles, which always look just that little tiled floors warmth? Is it possible at all to lead a contemporary lifebit more stunning than their cousins on land. A particularly stunstyle in a building dating from the 19th century where the ceilings are ning example is Castle Olsene on the ‘Grote Steenweg’ (Great Stone frequently very high and period features like the stuccowork, woodPath) in Zulte, a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders en ceiling beams and herringbone parquet have all been preserved? between Ghent and Kortrijk. The answer is an unequivocal yes! In Castle Olsene, residents need The Lords of Olsene ruled here since as far back as the end of the not forego any of the conveniences and comfort that the 21st century 11th century, residing in the has to oﬀer. The interior of castle known as ‘Hof Ter Walthis elegant residence spans len’. Then in 1732, the Piers more than 2,000 m2 in total, de Ravenschoot dynasty took with an incredible 73 rooms over ownership of the esin all – each restored with a tate. In the mid 19th centugreat sensibility and finesse, ry, the custodians at the time as well as respect for the hisdecided to tear the castle tory behind this castle. down and build a new moathere are various living ed castle on its foundations. and receptions rooms, The famous Ghent architect dining rooms and liLouis Minard (1801 – 1875) braries, three fully fitted was awarded the commiskitchens, five comfortable sion for this epic undertakbedrooms each featuring ing. He had previously made en suite dressing rooms a name for himself with the and bathrooms, in addition design of numerous churchto a billiard room and a pries and his works had an imvate cinema. There is also pact on the architectural style a luxurious home spa comof the newly founded Belgian plete with an indoor swimstate. Castle Olsene is a typming pool, sauna and JacuzAn arched bridge leads to the romantic moated Castle Olsene. Built by ical example of historicism zi, in addition to a laundry, the Ghent architect Louis Minard in the mid 19th century, its and the Neo-Gothic architecan underground garage with Neo-Renaissance design stands on the walls of a preceding castle fortification. tural style so popular at the space for up to twelve cars, a time, as well as the Neo-Renaissance – in this specific case based on car wash, and a wine cellar. Three elevators make it remarkably easy the Flemish Renaissance style. The return to architectural principles to move between the various floors of the castle. Set within the conduring this period sees a predominance of harmonious proportions text of this moated castle with its fascinating history, the outdoor pool once again. Ornamental forms like archways based on geometric forms within the old castle walls adds a contemporary touch and a whimsilike the rectangle and circle can be found in abundance, together with cal wink to the present. Underneath a hill in the garden there is still cornices that serve as horizontal dividing elements. Pillars and pilaseven an old ice cellar where all the residents of Olsene used to keep ters are in the Classical colonnade style. their meat cool in the past. People even came from the hospital in nd so it came to pass that Louis Minard erected the new hisDeinze twelve kilometres away to fetch ice blocks aimed at helping toricist-style structure on the foundations of the demolished to alleviate patients’ pain. castle. The bright brick building with its subtle white decorative Castle Olsene is a prime example of a residence rich in heritage features and four stepped gables has four almost identically designed where there has been absolutely no attempt to debunk or whitewash façades. Four hexagonal towers mark the corners, rising to form small the remnants of the past. A palette predominantly made up of soft round turrets at the top crowned with black spires. It is this special colour tones and warm materials exudes a calm sleekness, set against architectural feature in particular – along with its water setting – that contemporary furniture that blends in harmoniously with the whole. really gives the castle its fairytale charm. The driveway leading up to The greatest luxury of all though in this moated castle must surely be the castle is impressive in itself: two pavilions mark the entrance to the sensational views from all rooms: overlooking the wonderful park the 850-metre long avenue – lined with beautiful maple trees, beechgrounds and the lake as its banks meander their way around the green es, sycamores and European and American oaks – ending right at environs. This retreat really could not be more perfect. ardly anything captures

BELGIUM, ZULTE/OLSENE PRICE ON REQUEST INTERIOR APPROX. 2,000 m2 NO. OF ROOMS 73 E&V ID W-01IS5Z CONTACT GENT ZENTRUM (BE) EV GENT-CENTRUM BVBA – LICENCE PARTNER OF ENGEL & VÖLKERS RESIDENTIAL GMBH TEL. +32 92 23 28 23 E-MAIL GENTCENTRUM@ENGELVOELKERS.COM