Kasteel van Gaasbeek

About the museum

Around 1240 the Duke of Brabant had a castle built on a slope in the Pajottenland to protect his territory against Hainaut. In 1388 the people of Brussels destroyed the castle in revenge for the murder of Everaard t’Serclaes; castellan Sweder van Abcoude had it rebuilt. Later, important families from the Low Countries lived there, including the Hornes and the Egmonts. Count Lamoral of Egmont bought the castle in 1565, three years before his execution.

Through marriages, at the end of the 18th century the castle came into the hands of the Milanese Arconati Visconti family. Its last member, Marchioness Marie Peyrat, had the castle rebuilt in neo-Renaissance style and furnished the interior with copies based on examples from the Musée de Cluny in Paris and other collections. She gave the estate to the Belgian State in 1921, which opened the castle and park to the public in 1924.

Since 1980 the castle has been a museum of the Flemish Community. Between 2021 and 2024 it was thoroughly restored and given a new route past the period rooms. Each year the house also organises an exhibition with a contemporary artist. Around the castle lies a walking park of about 50 hectares with ponds, the Baroque Saint Gertrude chapel and a historic Museum Garden.

Highlights

• Neo-Renaissance castle with period rooms and the private apartments of Marchioness Arconati Visconti
• Egmond Room with paintings relating to Count Egmont
• Guided tour or self-guided visit of the route ‘Rebelse echo’s’ with the permanent collection
• Annual exhibition by a contemporary artist in the castle rooms
• Walking park of about 50 hectares with ponds and the Saint Gertrude chapel
• Inner courtyard and Caffè Carletto in the former coach house

Permanent exhibition

• Rebelse echo’s – The permanent route passes the restored period rooms and the castle’s collection, with stories of its former residents.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Vlaamse Gemeenschap

Director

Isabel Lowyck

Admission & discounts

Those who enter for free (young people under 18, Museumpas holders, ICOM, Riebedebie card, press card, researchers with a study assignment on the castle) still need an admission ticket. Tickets can be bought online or at the reception building next to the car park; a payment machine in the castle accepts only Bancontact. Discounts apply on presentation of a valid card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle is a protected monument. The ground floor and first floor are accessible by wheelchair, with a lift to the upper floor (with help from a staff member); the Egmond Room, Egmond staircase, Blauwe Kamer, Schattenzolder, Kamer van Carletto and Keizer Karelzaal are not. The narrowest passage is 80 cm. There are two wheelchairs (in the castle and in the reception building) and folding stools. From the reception building to the castle is 600 metres; visitors who find walking difficult can request permission in advance to drive slowly through the park or take a ride in the golf buggy (on weekdays). The Museum Garden is steep and hard to reach by wheelchair. Official assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Activity booklet ‘Het wapenschild van Muis Arnoldus’ (The Coat of Arms of Muis Arnoldus) for families with children aged 4 and up, and a family tour (‘Het Kasteelspel’, The Castle Game) for children aged 5 and up, on the first Wednesday of every month. In the Stable next to Caffè Carletto children can rest, colour and dress up (no ticket needed). A pram stays at the castle reception; baby carriers and hip seats can be borrowed. Changing tables and children’s toilets in the reception building and the castle, breastfeeding in the first-aid rooms. The house carries the Museumpas blue dot for an approved family offer.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies in the Pajottenland, about 10 km south-west of Brussels. From the bus stop, bicycle parking or car park it is a 600-metre walk (the last 50 metres over cobblestones). Cycling is not permitted in the park grounds; the bicycle parking is next to the reception building.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Caffè Carletto in the former coach house (drinks, terrace in the inner courtyard), Brasserie Graaf at the park entrance, and the Museum Shop in the reception building (accessible without a ticket). Lockers work with a €1 coin or a token from the reception; bags larger than 34 x 22 cm and backpacks may not be taken into the rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Hire and events via zaalverhuur.gaasbeek@vlaanderen.be. Museum rooms can only be hired in exceptional cases and with the permission of the management.

Plan your visit