Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Turnhout

Olen

Three-Eared Pot Fountain

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Turnhout

Olen

Three-Eared Pot Fountain

Recommended by 63 hikers out of 66

Save

Location: Olen, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Hikes here

Best Hikes to Three-Eared Pot Fountain

4.6

(12)

hikers

1. Teunenberg Nature Reserve – Three-sided Farmers of Olen loop from Noorderwijk

13.7km

03:28

20m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

3.9

(16)

hikers

2. Three-Eared Pot Fountain – Teunenberg Nature Reserve loop from Olen

8.58km

02:10

10m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.2

(9)

hikers

3. Three-Eared Pot Fountain – Teunenberg Nature Reserve loop from Olen

6.29km

01:35

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

May 17, 2025

The pot fountain was inaugurated in 1978. The fountain consists of three copper pots that were designed and manufactured by the staff of Union Minière (now: Umicore). They symbolize the visits of Emperor Charles to Olen as it is told in the legend of the pot with the three ears. This legend is perhaps the best known of the many Olen and Kempen folk tales and makes Olen famous far beyond the national borders.

Source: olen.be/walk-of-fame

And known from Suske en Wiske of course with De Pottenproever of which a special edition exists commissioned by the municipality of Olen: suskeenwiskeshop.com/speciale-uitgaven/suske-en-wiske-de-pottenproever-olen-2017.html

Translated by Google •

Dave

November 24, 2020

One day, Charles V was hunting near Olen. As he began to feel thirsty, he turned away from his company and drove to the village square. He entered an inn and ordered a heavy pot of beer. The innkeeper did not know who his senior guest was and served him like his other customers. He brought him a jar of foamy beer, but held it by the ear so that Charles V could not accept it.

"This gold piece is for you", said Karel, "but then you have to have a second ear attached to the pot, so that I can accept it next time."

“Promise!” Exclaimed the innkeeper.

When Charles V returned some time later, the innkeeper immediately recognized him as the customer of the gold piece. He came proudly with a foaming pot with two handles! Unfortunately he held it by the two ears, so that the emperor could not take it again.

"This gold piece", said Karel when he left, "is for a third ear!"

When he came to the inn for the third time, the innkeeper immediately showed up with his three-handed pot. Unfortunately, the third ear was turned to his chest.

Emperor Charles sighed deeply, but then suddenly reached under the pot to the third ear, opened the lid with his hefty nose and was able to drink the fullest of Olen's barley for the first time.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 14 September

19°C

16°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Olen, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Three-Eared Pot Fountain

1. Teunenberg Nature Reserve – Three-sided Farmers of Olen loop from Noorderwijk

2. Three-Eared Pot Fountain – Teunenberg Nature Reserve loop from Olen

3. Three-Eared Pot Fountain – Teunenberg Nature Reserve loop from Olen

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️