One of my favorite sites of to visit in Belgium. Granted its not the largest of places and its a bit battered, probably now beyond repair. But there was just something about the castle that left you with a feeling that can only be described as “win”.

Chateau de Miranda was built around 1866 as a summer home for the family of Count of Liedekerke-Beaufort. During WW2 the chateau was temporarily occupied by the Nazis during their advance on Western Europe. At the end of the war Miranda only saw use from a Belgian railway company as a residence for the workers children, where it gained the name “Noisy” before finally falling into disuse.

We awoke on an incredibly cold and misty morning, a quick brush of the teeth and a bakery treat and we set off. We slipped and stumbled through the woods trying to locate the chateau, we had a rough location but nothing exact. Eventually we came into a large clearing a dark shape began to take form behind the mist. As we grew closer the only thing running through my mind was “this is the mansion from resident evil”, The windows and doors were barricaded with make shift defenses and supports, probably to keep the flesh eating hoards from breaching the interior, especially the dogs.

In a way Miranda is like an expensive hooker. Beautiful and seductive from the outside, but broken, damaged and ruined beyond repair on the inside, nice!. But all is not lost, for a few remnants of our fair lady’s innocent self can still be seen amongst the wreckage. The once grand staircase at front, The colourful arched ceilings in the halls and the old clock in the tower which has lost its stairs.We spent hours exploring the twisty passageways, creeping across the creaking floors and enjoying the views from the tower.

Like many buildings I ‘ve visited, if I had the money I would buy Miranda and attempt to restore it. But given the extent of the damage, its incredibly remote location, and the fact that a vast majority of those who could afford it would rather buy a new ship instead, Mirandas future looks bleak.