Cleydael Castle (Belgium)

The castle was originally a feudal medieval water castle, located on an island formed by two branches of the Struisbeek. It has a square plan consisting of four wings surrounding a courtyard. On each corner it has a tower, each different in shape, whereby the two eastern towers are also heavier. Each tower has its own name. The western towers are called the Owl Tower and the Cat Tower, the northeastern tower is called the Vossentoren, while the southeastern tower is called the Kapeltoren. The Vossentoren is square in shape and provided with an onion-shaped spire. This tower has walls more than a meter thick. The Chapel Tower is so called because it has a chapel with a star vault. The substructure of the castle dates from 1350, the other parts date from the 16th and 17th centuries and are built of brick, probably from the immediate vicinity of the castle.

The Nederhof belonging to the castle is trapezoidal and originally completely surrounded by moats. On the east side, the complex is accessible via a drawbridge to the entrance gate. The building next to the entrance gate was the bailiff's house, later this was the home of the gamekeeper. On the west side of the Nederhof is a square watchtower with barns, stables and a brewery on either side. The whole forms a picturesque building complex in Brabant brick and sandstone architecture.