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Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Highlight • Historical Site

Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

Hiking

4.8

(22)

Cycling

(1)

Mountain biking

5.0

(1)

Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Tips

October 7, 2023

Hiking

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.

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

December 26, 2020

Hiking

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.

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January 24, 2021

Hiking

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

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Historic main building - Merksplas Colony

4.4

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#1.

Grote Hoeve – Colony - Eastern Rampart loop from Merksplas

6.60km

01:40

10m

10m

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

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4.6

(32)

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#2.

Grote Hoeve – Colony 7 Visitor Center loop from Kolonie Merksplas

5.04km

01:17

10m

10m

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

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Easy

5.0

(2)

8

hikers

#3.

Colony - Eastern Rampart – Grote Hoeve loop from Kolonie Merksplas

4.99km

01:16

10m

10m

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

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Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 80 m

Weather

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Today

Saturday 24 October

14°C

8°C

51 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

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Location: Merksplas, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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