Petit-Leez castle - farm

The 17th century Petit-Leez castle-farm is admirably proportioned with its square towers, its freestone and its ornamental pinnacles. The buildings clustered around a brick and bluestone area date from the 17th to the 20th century. They have been revamped and restored in a rather elemental manner. They are reached by a semicircular portal in the north-west corner. To the south, a large traditional-style dwelling, dated 1618 on the first floor, on a slab bearing the coat of arms of the earls of Grimberghe, is flanked with two five-storey towers. To the right of the dwelling are the cowsheds to which is attached a huge two-storey tower dating back to the first half of the 17th century. The north and east sides date from the 19th and 20th centuries, apart from a portal to the east, dated 1673 to prove it. The castle is home to a variety of activities. It houses the Dieleman Gallery mainly focused on sculpture. It features major figures from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as talented contemporary artists from Zimbabwe. It also contains the Contemporary Art Gallery, which organises personal exhibitions throughout the year as a showcase for internationally renowned artists. Some of the castle rooms may be rented and all kinds of events are held there.