Castle ruins Ter Elst in Duffel, Belgium.

The origins of Ter Elst castle ruins date back to the Middle Ages. So far known, the oldest reference to Ter Elst Castle can be found in a source written in the 12th century. In the 15th century it was expanded into a beautiful castle. High-ranking guests regularly stayed there, such as Margaret of York and Philip De Schone. From the 17th century it was used as a parsonage. In 1799 the castle was seized and sold by the French occupiers. More than seventy years later, the domain was given an industrial destination. A brickyard was active there until the First World War. After heavy damage in 1914, the castle ruins continued to deteriorate into ruins.

Initially the castle was owned by the Hildincshusen brothers. From 1356 until the French Revolution in 1789, the castle was owned by the Tongerlo Abbey and was occupied by the steward. It was also used as a residence for noble people. The castle burned down in 1584 after which it was rebuilt. A century later, around the end of the 16th century, it was a parsonage. According to 17th and 18th century drawings, Kasteel ter Elst was an extensive building, surrounded by moats and gardens. In 1799, the castle was sold to Louis Hermans, who had three of the four main buildings of the complex demolished and the wing section with the towers restored. After heavy damage in 1914, the castle ruins continued to deteriorate into ruins.

In 1972, the municipality of Duffel purchased the former castle grounds from the private owner. The local government almost immediately started a protection procedure and a renovation plan. In September 1982, the restored castle ruins and the redesigned park area opened to the public. Currently new restorations have been initiated.