Château of Trois-Fontaines

The Château de Trois-Fontaines, also known locally as Kasteel Dry Borren, is a historic site situated within the Sonian Forest in the Auderghem municipality of Brussels, Belgium. Originally established as a hunting lodge for the Dukes of Brabant, the structure was built on a location defined by three natural springs, with the Watermaelbeek stream flowing nearby. While the exact original construction date is not specified in the provided text, the site first appears in historical records in 1321 as a hermitage. By 1329, Duke John II of Brabant had founded a keep there, and his successor, John III, further developed the hamlet by adding a tower and a square. The name Trois-Fontaines directly references the three springs that characterize the landscape, while the Dutch name Dry Borren carries the same meaning.

Historically, the castle served multiple critical functions beyond royal recreation. It operated as a prison for poachers, wood gatherers, robbers, and political detainees, a practice documented from 1373 onwards. The site also housed the residence of the Forest Judge and included a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Catherine, founded by Duke John III. In the fifteenth century, the chaplain Wein van Cotthem resided at the location, where he wrote a significant sequel to the Brabantsche Yeesten chronicles. However, religious wars eventually led to the domain being looted and destroyed. Following this devastation, the estate was rebuilt under the reign of King Philip II of Spain, ensuring its survival into the modern era. Today, it remains a recognized historic site within the Brussels region, reflecting centuries of ducal authority and local judicial history.

Videos

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