Chateau Piano, Belgium

Chateau Piano is a scorched and collapsing chateau in Belgium. Inside is a forgotten piano standing defiant against a sooty cherry red wall.

This late 19th Century chateau lies within several hectares of grounds. At the front of the property is a small woodland, which obscures the chateau from the road. The trees and shrubs crowd up against the tall black wrought iron fence the runs along the road at the front of the now vacant chateau. There are also tennis courts as well as a swimming pool (which I didn’t have time to photograph, sadly).

I visited this location during the Short and Sweet Tour 2022 around Belgium and northern France.

About the burnt Chateau with the beautiful piano

I pause for a moment in the short entrance hall, the extent of the fire is immediately clear. The stairs lay covered with collapsed roof debris. After a quick discussion, we decide that upstairs probably wasn’t worth the risk. There are two doors leading from the base of the stairs, I took the left route first.

The walls are painted a bold cherry red, plaster moulding decorates the ceiling. Smoke from the fire has stained the ceiling and upper portions of the walls, giving an interesting texture. The wooden doorframes are charred. The ghosted outlines of framed artwork, now removed, can be seen on the wall preserved by greasy smoke residue. Against one wall stands the old black piano, a ripped tapestry hangs on the wall above it. A beautiful chandelier hangs from the ceiling still. There are shell-shaped sconces with some decorative red tassel wall hangings, either side of the shutter patio doors. Opposite the piano is an old fireplace.

The only other room of interest in this direction, was the quaint kitchen. Cookware and kitchen appliances are covered in an undisturbed layer of soot. Interestingly, there is a string of singed onions still perched next to the oven!

On the opposite side of the entrance hall is a large living room. Almost everything in here is black. Originally, the walls and ceiling were likely painted black (or at least that was my interpretation). Additionally, the smoke stains create an interesting texture on the mirrors and fireplace. Beyond this room once lay another room, which is now collapsed. You can see a radiator hanging down, which was once on the upper floor!