Look over the trees, you can see the tower of my château that stands proudly above the Avenue des Combattants. It hasn't moved since the 14th century! Unfortunately there have been a few little mishaps... a fire. So I rebuilt the château as a quadrangle around an interior courtyard flanked by a farm. My château was built from bricks, rubble stone and white stone. Marvel at this magnificent park with its “French-style” gardens, bordered by an orangery where I usually take a walk every day. I also often go to the church, which is just opposite. But not for mass, I go to admire stone statues on the tombs and the remarkable furniture it contains. Also, both my château and the church have been listed since 1952. This is why I am careful about who enters my private property... I prefer taking you to visit the church. Follow me, using the 2nd QR Code!
Date created
1312 but burnt down in the 17th century and rebuilt in 1626.
Function
Private residence.
Firm of architects.
Charateristics
- The estate includes a park and “French-style” gardens, bordered by an orangery dating from the 19th century and a farm.
- The château has been listed since 1952.
- The buildings of the château are in brick, rubble stone and white stone and are arranged in a quadrangle around a square courtyard, opening out onto a wonderful esplanade of hundred-year old trees that lead up to it.
- An engraving by Harrewijn dating from 1689 gives us our first detailed image of the site.
- Abandoned cellars under the terrace landings prove that buildings used to enclose the courtyard on its north-western side.
To begin with
- The site of the Château d'Ottignies was already mentioned in the 11th century in the form of a hunting lodge owned by the Dukes of Brabant, perched on a small rocky peak by the side of the river. A château seems to have existed in Ottignies since 1180.
- It was built around an interior enclosed courtyard.
- Wells of 18 metres in depth (the level of the Dyle) and the attached farm probably existed when it was built.
To see
The Occidental facade has two neoclassical doors, one of which has the following inscription on a lintel over it: "S.M. ALBERT I A PASSÉ CE SEUIL LE 10 JANV 1919". (HM ALBERT 1st CROSSED THIS THRESHOLD ON 10 JANUARY 1919). On 10 January 1919, King Albert I was welcomed into the château following a forced landing out in the countryside, accompanied by his favourite pilot, Mr Crombez. The purpose of the journey was to travel from Brussels to Namur, but over Ottignies the engine stopped and the pilot had to land in a field in La Croix, near to Petit-Ry. The road to Petit-Ry was renamed “Rue du Roi Albert“ to commemorate the event.
The hidden side
The château has a large park with many remarkable tree species to the rear of the garden
Practical information
Private residence.
