Belgium Ter Ham Castle

A fortified Frankish settlement already existed on the forecourt of the present castle in the 8th century. It was built in wood and its only protection was the canals that surrounded it. Gradually, the buildings were replaced by stone structures with ring walls to protect the population from possible attacks.
On the same forecourt, a first "Stone" was built in the 12th century.
Around 1500, this first castle was demolished and replaced by the present castle.
Over the years, the castle has come into different hands. The last lord of the castle, Jean de Croix, rented it out from 1929 to the most illustrious family of our regions: the Habsburgs. Empress Zita and her retinue stayed here until 1940.
During the Second World War, the huge saddle roof with its conical roofs on the towers, together with part of the upper floor, was demolished. Much damage was also done by the German soldiers who had taken up residence in the castle. The formerly imposing building had lost much of its charm and was abandoned.
In 1957 the castle was sold by the de Croix family to the municipality of Steenokkerzeel. Steenokkerzeel's intention was to use it as a town hall and to convert the surrounding grounds into a walking park. However, this turned out to be financially unfeasible, so the land was parcelled out and the castle was given on a long lease. On 24 April 1964 it was purchased by the then Ministry of National Education and Culture. Since 1970 it serves as a conference centre.