Achtersikkel
Limestone tower at Achtersikkel. Part of the Sikkel complex, an urban mansion, or "Steen", with its origins in the 14th century.
The Achtersikkel’s name is derived from the name of well-to-do patricians, the Van der Sickelen family. This family enjoyed political and social prestige and long owned the buildings around the beautiful inner courtyard. The brick corner tower belongs to the oldest part. The high round tower was built in the 15th century using sand-lime brick and completed with an octagonal stone belvedere in Renaissance style added in 1566.
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Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions bet... ... read more 
