Οι 20 καλύτερες λίμνες Boutersem

Το Meldertbos είναι στην πραγματικότητα κάτι περισσότερο από ένα δάσος, είναι ένα φυσικό καταφύγιο που αποτελείται από δάσος, υγρές περιοχές (με τη Mene), ανοιχτές εκτάσεις με λιβάδια, λίμνες και εδώ κι εκεί υπολείμματα του παλιού κήπου του κάστρου. Ακόμα και νωρίς την άνοιξη, παρατηρείς αμέσως ότι αυτό θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα ιδανικό μέρος για να βρεις ορχιδέες. Και είναι, όπως μπορείς να διαβάσεις στην ιστοσελίδα της Natuurpunt. Μεταξύ των κατοίκων, βρίσκουμε το δακτυλιωτό φίδι. Και εδώ μπορεί να βρεθεί και το κόκκινο κύπελλο. Από ένα μέρος των διαφόρων ξύλινων μονοπατιών, κοίταξε οπωσδήποτε και τη φθίνουσα δόξα του κάστρου με, μεταξύ άλλων, τα απομεινάρια της πισίνας, ακόμη και το αποδυτήριο. Ολόκληρη αυτή η περιοχή είναι στην πραγματικότητα αυτό που οι άνθρωποι από το Απόθεμα Ακίνητης Κληρονομιάς αποκαλούν "κοιμώμενο κήπο". Αλλά κοιμώμενος δεν σημαίνει νεκρός. Και όπως μπορείς να διαβάσεις σε μια ενημερωτική πινακίδα της Natuurpunt: "Το πάρκο ξυπνά μετά από 60 χρόνια ύπνου". Συνδύασε οπωσδήποτε με την άμεση γύρω περιοχή του κάστρου, κατά προτίμηση εκτός σχολικών ημερών. Υπάρχουν περισσότερα από αρκετά αξιοσημείωτα δέντρα. Ακόμα και για όσους ενδιαφέρονται για την αρχιτεκτονική κήπων, υπάρχει εδώ κάποια ιστορία να ανακαλύψεις. Σχετικά με το Meldertbos στη Natuurpunt: https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/meldertbos Σχετικά με το δάσος και το κτήμα (με την ιστορία του κήπου και τη λίστα με τα αξιοσημείωτα δέντρα): https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/134188

The pond, which has been there for years, has a small wooden platform for those who are interested, and is located near the small bridge over the stream once you've descended the paths leading to the higher village center. You are now at the same altitude as the road to Aarschot and can walk around the pond, which is connected to the meadows by the path. The Rozendaalbeek is a tiny stream that rises just outside Tienen on the northwest side in two amphitheater-shaped slopes. After just a few hundred meters, the two separate branches meet and together form the Roosdaalbeek, which is indicated on maps as the "Vlietende beek" (Flying Brook). Typical of the Rozendaalbeekvallei nature reserve is its secluded location between the two parishes of Vissenaken. Yet, you hardly notice this as you walk through the valley. The wet grasslands furthest downstream between Metselstraat and Hymelinusstraat, which were purchased first, are the most visible. The other plots are less well-known because they offer less visibility. Source and much more at http://www.velpe-mene.be/tienen/rozendaalbeekvallei.htm

Where water and reeds feel connected...

The core of Horst Castle probably dates back to the 13th century and is characterised by a square keep. The keep probably belonged to the oldest core that was further expanded into a fortified castle in the 15th century. During the troubles under Maximilian of Austria in 1489, the castle of Horst was taken by the people of Leuven and set on fire. According to literary sources, only the keep, part of the entrance gate and a defensive wall remained standing. The residential and east wing were renovated and expanded in the 16th century. The round tower also dates from this period. The outer wall was provided with a rectangular bay window. The castle lost its military character and became more of a pleasant residential area with a view of the moat, the ponds and the inner courtyard. Brick construction with sandstone layers characterise these buildings. In 1587, however, the castle was set on fire again during the raids of the Geuzen. It was not until the beginning of the 17th century that restoration work began. It is difficult to deduce from the available sources to what extent this involved restoration or an embellishing conversion of the castle complex. Presumably nothing changed in the internal structure, but only after the structurally necessary repairs were the interiors completely refinished. Maria-Anna Van den Tympel had a new chapel built against the keep in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the complex must have been damaged by plundering and neglect, and it is possible that it also suffered from plundering during the Brabant Revolution of 1830. Around 1850, the castle must have been habitable again, but the castle buildings only served as a farm. In the land registry, the site around the castle is called "De Notelaren Boomgaerd". Around that time, the most dilapidated part must have been demolished, namely the southern part and the superstructure of the gate. The rest of the complex was probably restored with reused demolition material and in traditional style. The castle was divided in 1880, with one part being registered as a school house. In 1897, a further division followed, with two plots being designated as houses. Several restoration campaigns followed in the 20th century. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Horst Castle, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/43619

Since December, there has been a spire on the castle again after the unstable spire was removed more than four years ago and could be viewed on a wooden platform in the pond. Now it is back. And the other works are also progressing quickly. More about the replaced spire on https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/12/10/torenspits-staat-weer-op-kasteel-van-horst-holsbeek/

beautiful pond, surrounded by willows and reeds

beautiful pond, surrounded by willows and reeds

You better be quick because in the meantime, in the context of a land consolidation, almost all the nice roads are being paved 😢. You can still respond to the Omgevingsloket from January 22 to February 20, 2025.