King Charles II
The Royal Palace of England, Scotland, Ireland and the Court of King Charles II were housed in Huis Casselbergh from 1656 to 1659.
Until the restoration, after the war, of the monarchy, King Charles II was accompanied by his brothers James: Duke of York and Henry: Duke of Gloucester.
The three brothers were members of the Bruges shooting guilds of Saint Barbara, Saint George and Saint Sebastiaan.
The British monarch also laid the foundation of the first Regiment of Foot Guards in Huis Casselbergh, later the Grenadier Guards (1656) and the Life Guards (1658). These were intended as a bodyguard to defend the Low Lands (The Netherlands) against France in the French-Spanish War.
King Charles II loved Flanders and Bruges in particular. In 1622 the grateful monarch wrote:
“The Flemish are the fairest and most upright people I have ever met.”
Huis Casselbergh
Huis Casselbergh has sheltered notable figures since the 13th century. The name possibly refers to Robrecht van Cassel, lord of the area around the Casselbergh (French Flanders). The main resident of the house was the English monarch King Charles II during his exile (1656-1659).
Afterwards it was occupied by the family of Caloen and Jean-Baptiste de Béthune and his wife Emilie van Outryve d’Ydewalle. In 1922, the house was purchased by the City of Bruges, repurposed as offices.
Since 1959, the areas Huis Casselbergh, de Zeven Torens and ‘t Fransche Schild were owned by the government and large parts of the building went through a period of deterioration.
The Grand Hotel Casselbergh was opened at the end of 2009. This after a two and a half year restoration. The restoration of the building is the great achievement of the building owner, the project developer of the Degroote family.
De Zeven Torens
The house “De Zeven Torens” derrives its name from the seven towers that once adorned its structure. Likely built together with Huis Casselbergh in the 13th century. The most famous residents of this house were Juan Lopez Gallo and his wife Catharina Pardo. Juan Lopez Gallo was the chargé d’affaires of the Spanish King Philip II.
The house “de Zeven Torens” is also part of “The Seven Wonders of Bruges” by Pieter I Claeissens. In this sublime painting, De Zeven Torens shine alongside six other Bruges wonders such as: “De Waterhalle”, “Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk”, “the Belfry”, “De Poorterslogo”, “Het Oosterlingenhuis” and “Het Waterhuys”.
’t Fransche Schild
Little is known about the house “‘t Fransche Schild”. However, it was originally a broad house that was added to ‘De Zeven Torens’ before 1562. It’s notable features include a grand gate adorned with a door needle dating back to 1723.
Members of
