Kasteel Westmalle Castle of Westmalle DJI movie by Falconi ©

The Castle of Westmalle is located in the village of Westmalle, in the municipality of Malle.
The origins of the castle date back to a large fortified farmstead, the Mansus de Trisco (Dutch: Hoeve Ten Driessche), which was founded around the year 1100. The farm served as the residence of the representatives, known as meiers, of the Dukes of Brabant.
In 1449, the estate was sold by Philip the Good, Duke of Brabant, to Henri van der Moelen, a member of the Antwerp city council. In 1505, his son, Sir Hendrik van der Moelen, was granted all feudal rights by Philip I of Castile (also known in the Low Countries as Philip the Fair). Hendrik’s grandson, Evrard de Cottereau, built the present castle in 1561. The tree-lined avenue leading to the church of Westmalle was laid out in 1650.

In 1695, the last heir of the Cottereau family was heavily indebted to Pierre Farisau, and later to his heir Philip Robijns. In 1702, the castle was seized by creditors, but the court returned it to Lady Moytray, the widow of Cottereau. In 1738, her brother inherited the castle, after which it was sold to the heirs of Philip Robijns. At that time, the castle had the appearance of a fortified stronghold, with a monumental gate, drawbridge, double moat, and forecourt.

These heirs sold the castle to Jacques Benoit Pauwens in 1743. The Pauwens family resided in the castle until 1847. In 1829, Baron de Norman renovated the castle.

His children sold the castle in 1848 to an Antwerp diamond merchant, Mr. Bovie. He renovated the castle, and a garden was created by the landscape architect Koelich. From 1874 to 1878, the castle belonged to Louis Geelhand. Baron de Turck de Kersbeeck purchased the castle in 1878 and had the building restored and renovated by the architect Schadde.

In 1914, Baron Alfons van der Straten Waillet inherited the castle. Following the division of his estate among his children, the property passed in 1973 to his fourth son, Baron Jacques van der Straten Waillet. In 1978, the castle—having perfectly preserved its appearance of 1561—was listed as a protected monument. After the death of Baron Jacques van der Straten Waillet in 1984, the castle was inhabited by his widow, née Countess Christiane de Lannoy, and his sister, Lady Marie-Josephe van der Straten Waillet.

After the baroness’s death in 2022, the castle was put up for sale. The asking price was €3.8 million. Following a consultation among its residents, the municipality of Malle decided to purchase the castle. The acquisition was largely financed by the Kempens Landschap Foundation.