In honour of our feature on historic venues, we explore a few spaces across Europe with a rich history to wow your delegates with.
Château St. Gerlach | The Netherlands
If you’re looking for a historic venue with lots of versality, this gorgeous chateau sitting in the Netherlands is perfect. The chateau contains 15 different events spaces of various sizes, able to accommodate up to 1,000 delegates. Each room has an individual personality that reflects the character of the buildings. Those located in the château are enhanced by 15th century detailing, while the spaces in the former farmhouse are inspired by the close proximity of the countryside.
While your event will be taking place in the heart of history, the spaces certainly won’t feel outdated. Six Manor Farm rooms, with integrated audio-visual facilities, offer intimate meeting areas and a contemporary addition to the estate’s historic landscape, while St. Gerlach Pavilion offers three multifunctional rooms that can be integrated to accommodate several hundred guests.
The venue is also ideal for multi-day meetings and conferences as it boasts 114 luxury guest rooms, suites, and serviced apartments.
Oostwegelcollection.nl/en/chateau-st- gerlach
The Paleis op de Meir | Belgium
How about holding your event in an expansive palace? The Paleis op de Meir has a number of special rooms, such as the Spiegelzaal, a spectacular banquet hall with impressive chandeliers and mirrors.
This venue has an illustrious history and was once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte. Throughout its long and tumultuous past the venue has seen visits from several notable figures, including Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill.
This is a dream location for business parties, dinners, receptions, and presentations. Seated dinners can be held for up to 100 delegates and there are reception options for up to 250. In the summer, the courtyard terrace makes a great location to hold a drinks reception.
info@hertia.be
Taschenbergpalais | Germany
Built in the 18th century by August the Strong as a pledge of love to his mistress, the five-star hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden is a beautiful expanse of historic charm. Restored in 2005, the venue brings contemporary touches to its elegant 18th century exterior.
Choice is the name of the game at this venue. With a total of nine function rooms across the venue, Taschenbergpalais has the perfect space for any event. In addition to six salons on the Bel Etage, a private chapel and the magnificent staircase, the hotel has a ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 people. Space isn’t all that the palace has to offer event organisers, as the hotel also boasts a highly skilled in-house catering team able to create a bespoke menu perfect for your event. Highlights from the hotel’s suggested menu includes veal vitello, smoked arctic salmon, and crème brûlée.
Kempinski.com
Convento de Serta | Portugal
Holding your event in this former convent will certainly give your delegates something to talk about. Conveniently located in the centre of Portugal, the Convento de Serta is easily accessed from several major cities, including Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra.
Originally the Convento de Santo António, the convent was originally founded in 1634, though the building wasn’t finished until some years later. The convent, belonging to the Santo António branch of the Order of the Frades Menores, included a pretty church with a belfry, a cloister, workshops, a water well, and an ample library.
With the dissolution of the religious orders in 1834, the convent was secularized and has served as a police headquarters, local prison, and a primary school. In 2013 the building was restored and transformed into the Convento da Sertã Hotel.
The venue holds two different event spaces: Capel and Ponte Velha. Capel, the former chapel of the convent, can seat up to 120 delegates theatre-style, while Ponte Velha can seat 400 delegates. For multi-day events, the hotel holds three different styles of rooms, as well as a prestigious suite, with 25 rooms available
in total.
Conventodasertahotel.pt/en