The theme of this third edition of Vestalia is ‘meeting’. Visitors not only gain access to historic buildings, but also get to know the people who live there and maintain the heritage.
“I think visitors will enjoy discovering who lives here and what stories lie behind those buildings,” says Caroline de Kerchove of organizer VESTA. “You feel that these are houses where people really live.”
According to the owners, private individuals play an important role in preserving heritage, but this is becoming increasingly difficult financially. That is why they are calling for a reform of inheritance taxes on historic buildings.
“It is not about becoming richer by paying less inheritance tax,” says De Kerchove. “The money saved should be reinvested in the restoration and maintenance of heritage.”
During the tours, owners also share remarkable stories about their home and family history. For example, Baudouin de la Kethulle de Ryhove explains that in the past, town houses were often passed down through the female line, while castles usually went to the sons.