Laarne Castle Kasteel van Laarne

Laarne castle is situated 11km/7mi east of Ghent. The 11th/12th C. pentagonal fortress was built to defend Ghent and rebuilt in the 17th C. Today it has two inner courtyards and a large keep on the right-hand facade and is surrounded by a moat. A stone arcaded bridge leads to the entrance.

The interior is furnished in the French and Antwerp styles; with exceptionally beautiful Brussels tapestries (16th C.) depicting the Emperor Maximilian hunting, after cartoons by Bernard van Orley.