Westerlo_kasteel_gravin_Jeanne.jpg

Locals call it: "Nieuw Kasteel" (New Castle) (51°05′25″N 4°54′44″E). It was built between 1909-1912 in a neogothic style by architect Pierre Langerock as the residence of one single person: Countess Jeanne de Mérode. Jeanne de Mérode was born in Paris in 1853 as a daughter of Charles-Antoine Ghislain de Mérode-Westerloo, Marquess of Westerlo and Princes Marie-Nicolette d'Arenberg. She remained unmarried and devoted her life to religion and charitable works. To provide employment for the population of Westerlo (especially for young girls and women) she founded a carpet factory in Westerlo. She also financed a church, a school and a monastery in Heultje, and a home for the elderly in Westerlo. She lived with her parents and siblings in the 'old castle' until the death of her brother, Count Henri de Mérode, in 1908. At that time she decided to move out. She planned to reside in the castle of Grimbergen which she had inherited from her father. As she was very popular with the local population, the people of Westerlo begged her to stay in the region.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle of Westerlo