Chateau Miranda, a castle originally built by French aristocrats fleeing the guillotine. Abandoned in 1991, the place is now fit only for wayward teenagers, ghost hunters, and aspiring satanists. Oh, and let's add documentary photographers in for good measure, as it was digital shutterbug David Baker who recently took a memorable look at the place, and uncovered a bit of its history, to boot.
Commissioned in 1886 from English architect Edward Milner, the chateau was taken over in World War II by the National Railway Company of Belgium for use as an orphanage, because what would a creepy old mansion be without the potential for ghost children? Despite several offers, the owners have apparently refused to sell, even after a potential deal to turn it into a hotel fell through, after which the rising cost of maintenance saw it abandoned and ripe for vandalism. A fire claimed part of the roof in 1995, and in 2006, a violent storm further caved it in, and with the hardwood floors ripped out for use elsewhere, Miranda is looking a mite threadbare.
Château Miranda would suffer the vagaries of the times it lived through.
Beginning with its construction. Despite a century of work, it was never completed as planned.
But not matter - its majesty, its lofty clock tower, its 550 windows, and richly decorated rooms, all in parquet and marble, demand respect.
The family of Count Liedekerke de Beaufort were not ashamed to stay there during their summer vacations.
This residence draws attention.
The best as well as the worst.
So, during the war, it was used as a residence by the occupying Germans.
Conflicts do not last forever.
They fade just like privileges and refinements soften the traces of old habit.
A decade after the liberation, the château was used as a holiday camp by a hundred children of Belgian National Railway Company workers.
The ancient fountain served as a pool for novice swimmers.
But the building found it hard to adapt to its turbulent occupants.
Twenty years caring for children.
Is that enough?
The contract binding the property to the BNRC was renewed, the count reclaimed his property and the property for its calm.
For a while.
For the days when you could keep such a building to yourself have well and truly gone.
Monsieur de Beaufort was once again obliged to rent out his castle.
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