Horst Castle

The Castle of Horst in Sint-Pieters-Rode (a sub-municipality of Holsbeek) is one of the most photogenic medieval moated castles in Flanders. Surrounded by a wide moat and reflected in the water, with its round residential tower, crenellated walls, and outer courtyard, it forms a romantic ensemble from the 14th to 17th centuries. The castle is listed heritage and is managed by Herita.

Accessibility is partial. The castle itself has a historic structure with various levels, narrow wooden stairs, and uneven old floors, which makes the interior difficult to access for wheelchair users. A visit to the exterior is, however, an experience in itself: the outer courtyard and the moat banks are reachable via a semi-paved path and offer splendid vantage points. The visitor room in the outer courtyard is accessible on the ground floor via a low threshold.

An adapted toilet is limited in availability in the outer courtyard during opening days. There is a car park with disabled parking spaces a few hundred metres from the castle, connected via a level country road. Horst lies in a beautiful nature area with walking and cycling routes. The flat surroundings are ideal for a quiet wheelchair walk in the Hageland landscape, possibly combined with the nearby Park Abbey in Leuven.