Belgium de Merode Castle

At the heart of the complex is the 14th-century ironstone donjon erected by the van Wesemael family, presumably as a defence point in the border area between the Duchy of Brabant and the County of Loon (from 1366 the prince-bishopric of Liège).
Due to the evolution of firearms in the following centuries, the donjon lost its defensive power and, during the 16th century, the building complex was extended according to a roughly geometric ground plan with four corner towers as forward bastions between which ramparts surrounded a courtyard.
Around 1361 Richard I, Count of Merode married the sister of the Lord of Westerlo. Since then, the castle has been in the hands of the de Merode family, who still occupy it today.

A beautiful spot to make a walk.