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Peat Cutter Statue at Donkmeer

Peat Cutter Statue at Donkmeer

Highlight • Monument

Peat Cutter Statue at Donkmeer

Recommended by 100 hikers out of 106

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Location: Berlare, Dendermonde, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Peat Cutter Statue at Donkmeer

4.7

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1. Turfput Walking Trail – Donkmeer loop from Donk

10.7km

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

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Intermediate

4.6

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2. View of Donkmeer – Donkmeer loop from Donk

5.06km

01:17

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

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Easy

4.5

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3. Donkmeer – View of Donkmeer loop from Donk

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01:13

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Tips

Dominiek Van Dooren

November 11, 2024

This statue of a peat cutter represents a profession from pre-modern times. In the 17th century, the demand for peat rose, which made the Donkmeer more important. This lake turned out to be one big peat pit. The work as a peat cutter was very intensive. Day in, day out, one had to do heavy manual labor for a meager wage. The bosses, on the other hand, did get rich from the peat that they sold for a lot of money. In contrast to the workers who lived in huts around the lake, the bosses could afford mansions. At that time, there was still no talk of good working conditions and quality work.
(Standbeelden.be)

Translated by Google •

VISITFLANDERS

January 10, 2022

The peat cutter is a reminder of the time before there was central heating and people had to heat with peat. By "cutting" the peat, the workers drained large areas, the water collected in canals, and moors and swamps became building land, pastures and fields.

Restaurant Elvira is not far from the monument. Since 2000, chef Sven Bogaert has been welcoming his guests and pampering them in the historic building with a picturesque view.

Meanwhile, his brother Jürgen Bogaert did not remain idle and created the Arctic Wolf Gin with lime and juniper with Wolf Demuynck. In East Flanders, it is only available here.

restaurant-elvira.be

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

April 8, 2021

Ode to the 'Heartwarming Peat Plug'.

How much 'warmth' have these Peat Plugs already given?
Do we still know this form of giving warmth?

What is peat and what are peat pits?
Peat is dried peat with which people used to heat their homes.
The peat was dug out and dried. Deep peat pits were created at the places where our ancestors
extracted peat. Many pits did not remain dry and turned into water features.

Take a seat on a bench on the edge of the Donkmeer and contemplate the life of the Peat Plugs...
The thought alone will certainly warm you up.
Are you getting too warm? Take a dip in the old peat pit.

Translated by Google •

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Details

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Elevation 10 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 4 November

16°C

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Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Location: Berlare, Dendermonde, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Peat Cutter Statue at Donkmeer

1. Turfput Walking Trail – Donkmeer loop from Donk

2. View of Donkmeer – Donkmeer loop from Donk

3. Donkmeer – View of Donkmeer loop from Donk

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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