Castle of Schaloen

The rectangular castle is built of marl and originally dates from the 12th century. Then it was a bit smaller. It was expanded in the following century, but almost completely burned down in 1575. Jacob van Deventer's map from 1550 clearly shows the castle with the name Sloenes in its former form. In the middle is a residential tower with an extension as an entrance. A wing has been added on both sides. The arkel turrets date from the 16th century. There is a wide canal around it.


The castle on a 19th-century watercolor
Johan Reinier Hoen van Cartils restored the castle in 1656, after years of vacancy. An inscription in Latin says that after the fire in 1575, the couple Hoen van Cartils and Johanna Maria van der Merwijck saved and restored the building. The state in 1656 is also a rectangular building with 4 stories under a gable roof and a vaulted cellar. The different types of marl show that materials have been reused in the various restorations. Restorations followed in 1721 and 1738. In 1721, a tithe barn is also built, which now functions as a hotel.

After the French occupation in 1814, the castle became the property of the De Villers Masbourg d'Eclaye family. In 1894 they had the castle thoroughly restored by architect Pierre Cuypers in a neo-Gothic style and the castle got its current appearance with an attached west tower and stair tower at the front and raised arket turrets. The facades were given a new, more regular layout, the front facade was given a bay window and the rear facade a balcony. The interior was also renewed.

After the billeting of American soldiers at the end of the Second World War (1946), the house was completely destroyed inside. After restoration in 1956, the main building was again suitable for habitation.

The outer bailey, on the west side, is said to be from the Middle Ages, given its oval shape. It is made of brick with layers of marl. Fire walls have stepped gables. The entrances have round arch gates. Above one of these are an arch decoration and inscription. Wall anchors depict the year 1701 on the façade. These probably indicate the restoration by Gerard Ernst Hoen van Cartils. In the second half of the 20th century, a café with a tea garden was established in part. There have been hotel apartments in the castle since 1986.

The gatehouse, renovated in 1718, is located behind a small bridge over the canal. It is also built-in marl and has a hipped roof. Above the round gate is a triangular tympanum. There is a tower-shaped ridge on the roof.