Ter Rijst Castle Estate

A castle already stood here during the Middle Ages, but what we see now is a new version that was built in 1869. The landscape park with the many ponds also dates from that period.
The area around Ter Rijst exudes secret history. Under the foundations of the Asse-Edingen road are the remains of an old Roman highway. A knoll near the largest pond hides cellars and the remains of a medieval castle.
Fun anecdote: An ice cellar is hidden in the forest reserve. In winter, the lords of the castle had the cellar filled with thousands of kilograms of ice and tamped snow. Due to the good insulation, the ice remained usable until the following autumn. It served to cool milk and butter, but also to make ice cream. A great luxury at a time when there were no ice factories or refrigerators. Bats now live in the icehouse.
The bank of the upper pond also hides an ancient monument. Half a century ago, this pond was the second stage in a complex of four ponds. The sunken meadow on the other side of the hedge was then still a real pond. Pike dominates the current pond of Ter Rijst. This predatory whopper preys on frogs, other fish and exceptionally even the chicks of waterfowl.

In the park you have the opportunity to have a drink or nibble at T-Rest. Park offers a nice variety between maintained trails and a rougher forest environment. The ponds top it off.

Beautiful park