History:
The castle was built in 1866 by the*English*architect*Edward Milner*under commission from the Liedekerke-De Beaufort family, who had left their previous home,*Vêves Castle, during the*French Revolution. However, Milner died before the castle was finished. Construction was completed in 1907 after the clock tower was erected.
Their descendants remained in occupation until*World War II. A portion of the*Battle of the Bulge*took place on the property, and it was during that time, the castle was occupied by the*Nazis.
In 1950, Miranda Castle was renamed "Château de Noisy" when it was taken over by the*National Railway Company of Belgium*(NMBS/SNCB) as an orphanage and also a holiday camp for sickly children. It lasted as a children's camp until the late 1970s.
The castle has stood empty and completely abandoned since 1991 because the costs to maintain it were too great, and a search for investors in the property failed. Although the municipality of*Celles*has offered to take it over, the family has refused, and the enormous building is now*in a derelict state, succumbing to decay and vandalism. Parts of the structure were heavily damaged in a fire and many areas of the ceiling are collapsing.
Explore:
This was the last place we visited on a mammoth weekend tour, and one i've been wanting to see for so long now. Once we'd reached it, this was such a laid back explore. I knew this place was heading downhill, but damn it's ruined inside! We bumped into about 8 other explorers here, was like a little social gathering up in the clock tower thingy! Lovely way to finish up a weekend away with some great company!
Thanks for looking!*
The castle was built in 1866 by the*English*architect*Edward Milner*under commission from the Liedekerke-De Beaufort family, who had left their previous home,*Vêves Castle, during the*French Revolution. However, Milner died before the castle was finished. Construction was completed in 1907 after the clock tower was erected.
Their descendants remained in occupation until*World War II. A portion of the*Battle of the Bulge*took place on the property, and it was during that time, the castle was occupied by the*Nazis.
In 1950, Miranda Castle was renamed "Château de Noisy" when it was taken over by the*National Railway Company of Belgium*(NMBS/SNCB) as an orphanage and also a holiday camp for sickly children. It lasted as a children's camp until the late 1970s.
The castle has stood empty and completely abandoned since 1991 because the costs to maintain it were too great, and a search for investors in the property failed. Although the municipality of*Celles*has offered to take it over, the family has refused, and the enormous building is now*in a derelict state, succumbing to decay and vandalism. Parts of the structure were heavily damaged in a fire and many areas of the ceiling are collapsing.
Explore:
This was the last place we visited on a mammoth weekend tour, and one i've been wanting to see for so long now. Once we'd reached it, this was such a laid back explore. I knew this place was heading downhill, but damn it's ruined inside! We bumped into about 8 other explorers here, was like a little social gathering up in the clock tower thingy! Lovely way to finish up a weekend away with some great company!
Thanks for looking!*
