Rivierenhof Castle and Garden, Antwerp

Both the Sterckshof and Rivierenhof Castle make for a perfect trip with friends and family on a warm summer’s day. If you enjoy picnics, greenery with a backdrop from the medieval era, the Rivierenhof Castle is the place to be.

A popular destination for the locals on weekends, the Rivierenhof Castle is the perfect excuse for a long bike ride. Sharing the same history as the Sterckshof, the Rivierenhof Castle is equally splendid and worth a visit.

During the middle ages, the grounds that now hold the Rivierenhof Castle were a lush green farm land in the outskirts of the city. The farm land known as Hooftvunder soon grew to become the largest farm in the region. While the turn of the century saw a part of the farm sold to the Stercks, a wealthy banker family, the other part of it was purchased by yet another wealthy merchant who built a gorgeous country house and an orchard.

As years passed by, the land was purchased by the Cogel Family who built, in place of the country house, an elaborate and opulent castle that stands to this day. Around this Castle was maintained a beautiful garden, which has now become the largest park in Antwerp.

Rivierenhof Garden houses the Sterckshof Museum and castle, several sports fields, an amphitheater, the family farm Schranshoeve, a beautiful rose garden designed in 1926, the Witches Tale House, chess tables and more. It is a great place to have fun with the entire family.