Letter of Hendrik Rommel to Guido Gezelle
Hendrik Rommel reminds Gezelle of his promise to single-handedly apply his verses under the wall paintings in the castle of Baron van Caloen in Loppem. Also Edward Van Robays, Hector Hoornaert and Jan Craeynest will be there. They will meet at the railway station of Bruges.
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Charles van Caloen
Charles studied at the minor seminary in Roeselare, where he had, among others, the future bishop Johan Joseph Faict as a fellow student. He married Countess Savina de Gourcy-Serainchamps in 1847. They had five children. In 1857 he was given the title of baron. In 1866 he was awarded the title of papal count. In 1867 he had eye surgery that completely cured his blindness. He became mayor of Loppem and then a provincial councilor and senator. He was good friends with Guido Gezelle.
(Photo, Caloen Foundation)
Blue Lounge
Around 1870, a painter, Augustin Martin from Cologne, had painted historical scenes in the Blue Lounge of Baron Karel Van Caloen’s castle in Loppem. Gezelle, who often came there for a visit, made archaic language captions for those wall paintings.
(Photo Van Caloen Foundation)
Castle of Loppem
Baron Charles van Caloen and his wife Countess Savina de Gourcy Serainchamps had the neo-Gothic castle of Loppem built by Pugin and Bethune in 1856. Guido Gezelle often came to visit.
