Château de Moulbaix
This castle named ‘Château de la Forêt’ or ‘Château de Moulbaix’ has been abandoned since 2005. The picturesque castle with 344 windows was designed in 1860 by Athois architect Désiré Limbourg. Today it’s in use again and completely restored.
- Built 1860
- Abandoned 2005
- Reconverted 2016
- Visited 2015
For centuries, the Chasteler family owned most of the village of Moulbaix. They built the castle in the Tudor style to replace an older manor house from 1502. Marquis Oswald du Chasteler became the first owner of the new castle.
The castle stands in a large estate of 62 hectares. Part of the park was designed by the landscape architect Louis Fuchs. The gardens made the estate one of the most impressive properties in the region.
A fire badly damaged Château de Moulbaix, but workers rebuilt it in 1889. Later, in the twentieth century, Count d’Ursel bought the castle. His family lived there for many years.
Why the Castle Became Abandoned
Château de Moulbaix became empty after the death of Nadine de Spoelberch, Countess of Ursel. No one continued living in the building. The large rooms and gardens slowly became quiet, and the castle was left without a purpose.
During this time, many stories appeared about the abandoned castle. Local people spoke about three people who had taken their own lives inside. Other local urban legends claimed that two children entered the castle and were never seen again. Another story tells of a burglar who was found dead on one of the staircases. There is no clear evidence for these stories, but they helped give Château de Moulbaix a mysterious reputation.
What You Could See
When I visited Château de Moulbaix, the castle was still abandoned. The rooms were empty, but many historic details remained. Large windows, wooden staircases, and decorated ceilings showed how grand the building once was. Outside, the park surrounded the castle with old trees and quiet paths.
Only a few weeks after my visit in 2015, the property was sold at a public auction. The Govaert family became the new owners and started a full renovation the following year.
Today, Château de Moulbaix is no longer abandoned. Thanks to the restoration, the castle is once again in use. My photographs show a short moment in its history, just before this remarkable building returned to life. Follow this link for more abandoned castles.
