On the outskirts of Brussels, surrounded by woodland, lies a magical 12th century Château – Groot-Bijgaarden Castle.
The cobbled road, worn by the wheels of many carriages, leads across the moat, through the 14th century Gatehouse, turrets on either side telling tales of its past history.
A stroll in the parkland of this picturesque Chateau is worthy of a visit alone, but in Spring it is ablaze with the colours of one million tulip bulbs. This is the Floralia festival held in April/May each year.
Timing is everything with bulbs. Last year I visited in May to admire the tulip colours; the same time this year, after Belgium’s warm Spring, the tulips were almost finished but the rhododendrons were ablaze.
Walking in the rhododendron dell, next to the orchard, all the senses were assailed – colour, scent and the loud hum of hundreds of bees.
This year, in the more formal sunken garden, the trees have been heavily pollarded and stand like living sculptures.
There are hints here and there of the garden’s past history – stone steps, archways and rose-entwined pillars… or perhaps these are simply placed there to be suggestive of that past history.
The origins of the Castle/Chateau date back to the 12th century, but over time, it became quite dilapidated until renovations began in the early part of the 20th century. The gardens and the 14 hectare park were landscaped by Louis Fuchs, designer of many parks in Belgium, at that time too.
The Chateau is built in the Flemish Renaissance style, of red brick with white stone mullioned windows and a blue slate roof. It is exceedingly picturesque, with a tower and integral Chapel on the right wing and a bulb-shaped roof on the left wing. I couldn’t help reflecting how appropriate that bulb shape was in the Springtime!
Nearby is a massive 30 foot high dungeon, built around 1347.
The Chateau is surrounded by a wide moat which is spanned by a lovely 5 arched bridge; in other places more rustic bridges span the water.
Inside the ancient Chapel, sacred music plays and one is assailed by the colour of orchids and the scent of lilies.
The formal garden of box hedges, topiaried balls and colourful formal planting lies within the moat and to the right of the Chapel.
It is certainly worth a visit to the Floralia Spring Festival at Groot Bijgaarden/Grand Bigard if you are in Brussels – not quite on the scale of Keukenhof, but then none of the crowds either.
Jardin 
Beautiful. Like a fairy tale (for us Americans) with a moat and all!
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Oh thank you!. Even for us Europeans it is magical too!
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Stunningly beautiful photos and an interesting story too. A nice start to my day! Thank you and I hope your day is going well.
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Many thanks Cynthia. Lovely comment and the sun is shining here in Belgium .. so yes, a very good day!
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I noticed the Chapel filled with plants and flowers and your comment regarding music playing and wondered if services were still held amongst the profusion of blooms.
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I’m not sure if there are regular services but the Chateau can be hired for weddings and the Chapel can be used for the ceremony. The Chapel is a bit decrepit but full of atmosphere and history.
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Love this post! Thank you for introduction to history and beauty!
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Thank you so much. I’m really glad you enjoyed the post!
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Oh Lorna, this Chateau is indeed magical looking, just gorgeous. I love that there’s a moat! 😀 I would so love to visit a place like this some day. ❤ Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing them!
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Thanks so much Julie – glad you enjoyed it. I think there are lots of nice Chateaux around Brussels – hope I’ll get to see one or two more whilst we’re here.
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Beautiful pictures and beautiful colors. it’s a very pretty park and chateau 😉
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Thank you so much Christiane. I try to visit it each year for the tulips, but love the architecture too.
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Great photos!!
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Many thanks – glad you liked them!
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Thank you for the magical tour of the castle. Your photography was fantastic.
Honey
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Oh thanks Honey! I’m really glad you liked it; it’s quite a special place.
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Always a treat to behold your photographs! 🙂 LIVE & IN COLOR!
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Glorious and majestic! How close to Camelot?
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You’re so kind! : )) Thank you!
Yes … has the appeal of a medieval mythical Camelot!
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I am stunned by this post with it’s beautiful photos of a stunning place. I love the Tulips, the stone details, the fairy tale-like castle, the covered bridge ( how I wish I could have one of those). The pollarding was incredible and became a living sculpture.
I would really love to go there. Thank you.
(Oh, I forgot to say how I loved the tile floor).
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Karen, thanks for your comments. The really nice thing about a visit here is its very relaxed air – nothing is too pristine and one has to look for all the lovely details, which I much prefer to headsets and big notices pointing everything out.
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A really fabulous place, Lorna. The flowers are magnificent, and those pollarded trees are so sculpture-like. What tales that dungeon tower could tell. Such a great post! 🙂
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Many thanks and I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Interesting old buildings with nice gardens are always very appealing
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What a fantastic post! Your photos are beautiful! What fun you must have had taking them. I want to book a trip to Brussels!
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Thank you so much! I’m pleased the photos do justice to the Castle and grounds.I find the Flemish architecture of Belgium really attractive.
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Just dropping by to tell you that I have nominated you for an award. Check out the nomination here (scroll down the page):
http://aquileana.wordpress.com/2014/06/26/greek-mythology-deucalion-and-pyrrha-surviving-the-flood/
Congratulations and best wishes!!!, Aquileana 🙂
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It looks like a pretty place ! I’m a bit ashamed to say that I’ve never visited it, and I’m not living that far away ! Must do something about it! Thank you for the follow !
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I’ve only visited it in the tulip season, which does enhance the garden a lot… worth a visit then.
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