Castle of Belœil, Belgium

The Castle of Belœil is a medieval castle located in the municipality of Belœil in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. The castle was built in the 13th century as a fortress and is since 1394 in the possession of the Ligne family. Over the following centuries, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries was the castle transformed into its present appearance, while was its magnificent garden created from 1664 onward. In 1900 was the castle severely damaged by a fire but it was shortly afterwards rebuilt by the French architect Samson. Although is the Belœil Castle still owned by the Ligne family it is open to the visitors.