In the centre of Lede, not far from Bruxelles, you can find this huge abandonded castle.

The Bette family did own the property from the 16th till the 18th century.
The famous italian architect Giovanni Niccolo Servandoni designed the marquis and house with the horsestables.

Early 19th century the castle mainly was used for industrial
purposes. Some of the tools you still can find in the cellars
of the castle.
In 1987 the castle became property of the Kannunikessen
nuns from Jupille, they build the school and the chapel in
1905.

After WW1 the Institute Royal de Messines became owner
of the property, the castle also was named after this owner
(Castle of Mesen).
This institute educated children from soldiers which are died
in the war or returned home disabled.

In the 1960's the castle and all buildings around it left empty
and ever since it is out of use.

When visiting the property now you can see that 50 years of decay
and vandalism had a great impact on the buildings.
Some roofs collapsed and it is not really safe to enter most of the rooms.

The city of Lede bought the property and the plans are to demolish the castle in 2007 and built appartments on that space.