D'Ursel Castle
D'Ursel Castle, also known as the Ducal Castle of Hingene, is a historic estate located in Hingene within the municipality of Bornem in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. Originally established as a private residence in the sixteenth century, the property was acquired by the Schetz family in 1608 before becoming the cherished summer home of the Dukes of Ursel for over three hundred and fifty years. The structure visible today largely dates to a significant redesign commissioned in 1761 by Charles, the second Duke of Ursel. He enlisted the renowned architect Giovanni Niccolò Servandoni to transform the family seat into a symmetric palace-like building, reflecting the grand architectural tastes of the eighteenth century.
Throughout its history, the castle served as a prestigious venue for high society, hosting famous noblemen such as Joseph de Ferraris and members of royal families from Saxony and Hohenzollern during the nineteenth century. The estate was celebrated for its lavish banquets and balls, with the local community often joining in celebrations of ducal marriages due to the family's strong standing in the region. However, around 1960, the eighth Duke sold the property and relocated the family archives and furniture to Brussels, marking the end of the dynasty's permanent residence in Hingene.
In 1994, the Province of Antwerp acquired ownership of the castle and undertook extensive restoration efforts to return the estate to its seventeenth-century appearance. Today, the castle is open to the public and functions as a cultural site. While the state maintains the building and grounds, the current Duke of Ursel has contributed significantly to its historical presentation by placing a large portion of the private ducal collection on long-term loan for exhibition within the restored rooms. This unique collaboration ensures that visitors can experience both the architectural beauty of the castle and the rich heritage of the Ursel family.
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- Hingene