Kasteel d'Ursel

About the museum

For almost four centuries the castle of Hingene was the favourite summer residence of the d’Ursel family. In 1536 a stone house belonging to a steward still stood here; around 1550 it was converted by the Antwerp family van de Werve into a noble country house with a ring moat. In 1608 Conrard Schetz bought the estate and extended it into a castle with a second tower, an extra gallery and a monumental front building. Through an adoption, the Schetz family became the d’Ursel family.

In 1717 Conrard-Albert became the first Duke d’Ursel; the architect Jean Beausire gave the castle a late-Baroque façade and the garden a French layout with a reflecting pool. From 1761 the second duke, Charles, had the castle and estate transformed into strict Classicism by Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni. His interior, dating from 1761 to 1765, has survived almost unchanged to this day. In the nineteenth century the park was turned into a landscape park by the landscape architect Eduard Keilig.

In 1973 the eighth duke sold the castle and park. The estate came into the hands of the Province of Antwerp in 1994, through the municipality and the Flemish Community; the province restored it and gave it new life. In the rooms you can see Chinese wallpapers and painted and printed cotton (sits); according to the castle, no other European castle has more sits than Hingene. In 2009 part of the duke’s collection returned to the castle on long-term loan.

Highlights

• Classicist interior by Servandoni from 1761–1765, almost unchanged
• Room-height Chinese wallpapers, including ones with pink bamboo and birds
• Painted and printed cotton (sits) in fifteen rooms
• Mirror room with coffee, cake or afternoon tea
• Freely accessible park from sunrise to sunset

Permanent exhibition

• Interieur van het kasteel – The rooms have a coherent Classicist design by Servandoni from 1761–1765, with Chinese wallpaper and painted and printed cotton (sits) on the walls.

Founded

1761

Operated by

Provincie Antwerpen

Admission & discounts

Rate for the castle during the current exhibition; tickets are available the same day at reception, no reservation needed. The park is free. After the visit, groups can book coffee or tea (€4), a glass of cava (€5), coffee and cake (€10) or an afternoon tea (€30, minimum €300).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car you reach the castle via the N16 between Willebroek and Sint-Niklaas. For a short stop (dropping off or picking up passengers) ring the bell at the barrier at the Edmond Vleminckxstraat entrance. Cyclists will find a small bicycle shelter at the gatehouse; at Bornem station there is a Donkey Republic shared-bike point.

Amenities & dining

In the mirror room you can enjoy coffee and cake or an afternoon tea after a guided tour. On Sundays and public holidays in good weather there is a mobile summer bar on the lawn in front of the castle (until and including 2 November 2026).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle can be hired for, among other things, team-building, receptions, seminars, company parties, wedding ceremonies and anniversaries. The castle always closes at midnight, and dance parties are not possible. The park is not rented separately, but can be used together with the castle under certain conditions.

Plan your visit