Castle ‘Middelheim’ at Antwerp (Belgium)

A first castle was built on this spot in 1342.

In the 16th century the castle was rebuilt as a summer residence ("maison de plaisance") for the rich nobility where garden parties, recitals and festivities took place regularly.

A second reconstruction happened in 1780 and gave the edifice its present view.

An open-air museum with sculptures and plenty other work of arts is located in the adjacent castle domain (see picture below attached as an example).

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With one click below you can see my whole series of Belgian castles so far :
http://portfolio.fotocommunity.com/nature-in-belgium/folder/404664