A family mission
The Adornes Estate has the rare feature of having remained a family property since its foundation.
Being the 17th generation to inherit the estate gives a staggering sense of responsibility.
Photo : Amélie de Wilde
“We believe that it is our mission to preserve this artistic and historical heritage by respecting its original functions and its intimate and family character as much as possible. This way, we are making a modest contribution to preserving the knowledge and the history of what makes us what we are today. We also want to share our thoughts and convince the public of our commitment to preserve heritage. It is not about cultivating nostalgia but about making heritage a breeding ground for dreaming and designing the future. In particular, art, which is closely linked to the history of these places, provides an essential stimulus for thinking and an uncomprimising vision of society.
Count and Countess Maximilien de Limburg Stirum
700 years of family history at a glance
c. 1300 - 1754 : The Adornes family
The very first Adorno’s, originally from Genoa, Italy, settled in Bruges in the 14th century. According to various sources, the Flemish branch of the family dates back to the 1350’s, with a certain Opicious Adornes as the founder. The Adornes were soon integrated into the Bruges aristocracy and held key positions in the administrative and economic life of the city.
1754 - 1882: The de Draeck family takes over.
Jacoba Adornes is the last caretaker to bear the name Adornes. The estate passes into the hands of a direct descendant of Jan de la Coste, named Adornes.
1882 to the present day: The de Limburg Stirum family
After the death of Astérie Albertine de Draeck in 1882, the management and ownership of the estate passed to the de Limburg Stirum family.