# Castle Stas de Richelle

- **Country:** Belgium
- **Coordinates:** 51.029400, 3.794100
- **Location Text:** Heusden

Castle Stas de Richelle, historically known as Hof en leen ter Aelmeersch, is situated in Heusden, Belgium, near the Scheldt River. The site originally featured medieval moats before evolving into a pleasure house in the 17th century under Joris van Crombrugghe, the lord of Poeke. By 1725, the property had developed into a fortified castle with elaborate water defenses and remained within the van Crombrugghe family until it passed to other owners, including Mr. Morel of Ghent and E. Coppens, later in the 18th century. In 1837, a significant land exchange occurred between Baron C. Coppens and dowager Coleta Du Rot, marking another chapter in the estate's complex ownership history.

The structure visible today reflects a neoclassical architectural style, resulting from a major enlargement project undertaken between 1830 and 1858. Despite these later modifications, the interior retains historical elements from the mid-18th century, specifically original flooring and plaster ceilings that survived the renovation. The castle stands as a testament to the region's evolving aristocratic landscape, transitioning from a medieval fief to a refined country residence. Its preservation offers insight into the domestic architecture and land management practices of East Flanders over several centuries.

Interestingly, the immediate vicinity holds additional historical depth due to the nearby ruins of Kasteel ter Kerchove, located south of the main castle opposite the parish church. This older medieval fortress dates back to the 15th century when it belonged to the de Grutere family before passing to the van Crombrugghe lineage through marriage. While largely ruined, Kasteel ter Kerchove still preserves its basement and sections of its moats, providing a tangible link to the area's deeper past alongside the more intact neoclassical grandeur of Castle Stas de Richelle.

![Photo of Castle Stas de Richelle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/HeusdenSchloss.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Stas_de_Richelle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)