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Belgium
Flanders
Antwerp
Turnhout
Merksplas

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Discover
Places to see
Belgium
Flanders
Antwerp
Turnhout
Merksplas

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Highlight • Historical Site

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Recommended by 20 hikers out of 21

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    Best Hikes to Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

    4.6

    (17)

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    hikers

    1. Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Merksplas

    11.1km

    02:48

    20m

    20m

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

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    Moderate

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

    Moderate

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

    Easy

    Tips

    October 7, 2023

    The Merksplas penitentiary was built in 1825 as a colony to accommodate beggars and vagrants. After WWII it evolved into a semi-open prison with a community regime. Today it is a closed institution for convicts.

    The penal institution has been a protected monument since 1999 and is located in a classified landscape.

    Translated by Google •

      January 24, 2021

      Merksplas Kolonie has many unpaved roads between field and forest. Nice walking there.

      Translated by Google •

        Colonies 5-7 from Wortel and Merksplas were part of the 'Colonies of Benevolence' at the beginning of the 19th. These Colonies emerged at the beginning of the 19th century as an ambitious social experiment in the present-day Netherlands and Belgium. Merksplas was founded as the seventh Colony. Poor beggars, vagabonds, were sent to this corner to live from agriculture and industry. Highly recommended to discover this bygone history.

        Translated by Google •

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          Elevation 80 m

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          Wednesday 12 November

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          Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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          Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

          Other Popular Places to Check Out

          Open hooischuren Kolonie 5-7

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