Pearl of The Langstraat: Het Witte Kasteel Loon op Zand

Het Witte Kasteel at Loon op Zand. I have driven past it many times, but never stopped for a moment. Today Francine Broos, president of the foundation, is showing me around. We walk across a bridge to the entrance. I feast my eyes. Wow, how well she and her volunteers set this up!

A piece of history
For the origin of the castle we have to go back to the end of the ^14th century. Knight Pauwels van Haestrecht, lord of Loon op Zand, ordered the construction of a residential tower. Over the centuries, many additions were made and avenues and parks were laid out. In 2012, the then owner De Pundert family donated the castle to the foundation, with the condition that it be designated as an Institution for General Benefit (ANBI). Filled with passion, Francine, founder of the foundation, set to work to help the community enjoy this beautiful piece of Loons heritage.

Grateful
Francine can't do this alone, of course. As an architect, she has many contacts in construction and interior design. Generous donations from many sponsors ensure that the castle and all its outbuildings are beautifully renovated and furnished. But without her volunteers, Francine is nowhere. A group of over 50 volunteers maintains the buildings and the garden, they fulfill a role as hosts and take care of the cultural program, such as concerts in the castle, theater performances in the castle garden and music on the terrace. It is a beautiful club of loyal volunteers, all proud of their beautiful castle and now grown into a close group of friends.

Surprising offerings
You'll be amazed when I tell you all that Het Witte Kasteel has to offer. You can get married, have meetings, celebrate, stay overnight on the estate and walk in the beautiful castle garden. But you can also go there for condolences, musical performances, culture in the garden, guided tours, photo and film shoots or a delicious lunch, cake or drinks in the coach house or on the terrace.

Dreams
Francine looks back with pride at what the foundation has achieved in recent years; a beautifully restored castle, the calling card of Loon op Zand, with great social added value for the volunteers and where many guests meet and enjoy each other. "Yet we're not there yet," says Francine. "We still have some renovation plans and would like to increase our brand awareness. Our ideal picture is that we can open Het Witte Kasteel completely self-sufficient and without operating subsidies year-round and as many days of the week as possible. By working very hard and passionately on this together, I am sure we will succeed."

In any case, I myself have been incredibly surprised by the beautiful offerings at Het Witte Kasteel and, as soon as coronagraphs permit, will certainly return there soon to enjoy, while enjoying live music, a delicious high tea on the terrace of the atmospheric Coach House. Will you come too?

Want to know more about Het Witte Kasteel? Then click here!