Kasteel Wissekerke

About the museum

In the 13th century a sturdy moated fortress guarded the Scheldt valley in the polder village of Bazel. Later the stately Wissekerke Castle rose on this site, where the noble Vilain XIIII family lived for more than two hundred years. In the first half of the 19th century Viscount Philippe and his wife Zoé de Feltz had the castle rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style by the architect François Verly. A showpiece gable, an imposing gateway, an English landscape park with a wrought-iron suspension bridge and a kitchen garden with exotic fruits were added. On the existing dovecote a water reservoir was installed, with an ice house beneath it. Many Egyptian elements can be seen in the interior, inspired by Napoleon's Empire style.

Since 1989 the castle has been owned by the municipality of Kruibeke, which opened the estate to the public from the outset. After an extensive restoration, a new experience route opened in 2022, developed with Bailleul Ontwerpbureau, the municipality and local talent. With audio stories, Zoé de Feltz guides visitors through the family history, the birth of Belgium, the tensions between Catholics and liberals and her ties with Napoleon.

Highlights

• “Op stap met Zoé de Feltz” experience route with audio story
• Children's route with Serafina the Sphinx and a music route for young people
• Neo-Gothic castle with Egyptian elements in the interior
• English landscape park with suspension bridge, dovecote and kitchen garden
• Projections, touchscreens, digital quiz and soundscapes

Permanent exhibitions

• Op stap met Zoé de Feltz – The experience route through the style rooms, cloth rooms and dream rooms uses projections, objects, touchscreens and soundscapes to tell the story of the Vilain XIIII family and 19th-century Belgium.
• Kinderparcours met Serafina de sfinx – An audio story for children in which Serafina the Sphinx reveals the secrets of the castle.

Operated by

Gemeente Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht

Admission & discounts

The admission price includes the audio guide. Museum pass holders and residents of and schools in Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht also enter free.

Accessibility

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

The entrance hall is reached via a ramp with a balustrade and intermediate landings, and wheelchair users can visit the entire ground floor independently (narrowest passage 92 cm). The main storyline of the route takes place on the ground floor; the rooms upstairs are shown digitally on a tablet. There is a lift (80 x 85 cm), but wheelchairs do not fit in it and it does not reach all floors. On the ground floor there is a toilet for people with a disability, which is slightly smaller than required. For deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors there is a booklet with a summary of the audio route. Disabled parking spaces are on Koningin Astridplein, 200 metres from the entrance. There is a visual step-by-step guide for Toerisme voor Autisme; the castle works with time slots so that it is never too crowded.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The castle describes itself as a super family-friendly destination. Children follow the children's route with the stories of Serafina the Sphinx; young people have their own music route.

Getting there & parking

The castle lies on the edge of the Polders of Kruibeke. Donkey Republic shared bicycles are at the bus stop on Oude Pastorij in Bazel (5 minutes' walk), at the DeWaterbus stop in Kruibeke and next to the church in Rupelmonde. Bicycles can be taken on the ferry and DeWaterbus.

Amenities & dining

In the landscape park you can eat your picnic at one of the resting spots.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Some rooms in the castle can be hired, suitable for meetings or workshops; rates and conditions are available from CC Ter Vesten.

Plan your visit