The restoration and repurposing project for Het Steen, the country house where the world-renowned painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) spent his last five summers, is now fully underway. The building is expected to reopen to the public in 2030.
© Paul Hermans (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Over the next five years, a specialised restoration team will be working on the Rubens Castle estate, located in the municipality of Elewijt in Flemish Brabant, to restore this jewel of our heritage to its former glory. The renovation work will focus successively on the barnyard buildings, the façades and then the castle’s roof. Following this, the surrounding ponds and the intendant's apartments will be restored. The old castle is expected to be transformed into an experiential park and centre dedicated to the painter, including conference rooms, a brasserie, a guest house and meeting rooms for local associations and businesses.
When Rubens purchased the building in 1635 and moved in with Helena Fourment, his second wife who was 37 years younger than him, the building had been part of the Duchy of Brabant’s fortification range for nearly 600 years. Religious turmoil had once again given way to tranquillity. Once the mansion had been restored and furnished by the painter in the style of his time and in proportion to his fortune, the new owner was able to enjoy life in his country house where he spent his old days peacefully, relishing in the tranquillity of the place and visits from his peers: Antoon van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens and David Teniers. Helena, on the other hand, preferred hosting sumptuous receptions attended by princes, ambassadors and courtiers.
Among the painter’s masterpieces now showcased in prestigious museums in Paris, London, Florence, Saint Petersburg, Munich and elsewhere, many originated in the country house.
