Until 1993, Wortel prison was a vagrant colony. With the abolition of the vagrancy law, the penal institution was used to house convicts. The buildings were converted, better secured and renovated.

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Frank en Nancy 🇧🇪

September 13, 2021

Cycling

The prison on Steenweg op Wortel dates from 1825 and was built as a colony for beggars and vagrants. After the Second World War, the facility evolved into a prison …

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Viviane

August 20, 2025

Hiking

A silent witness to the history of the Wortel Colony. This former prison recalls the strictly regulated living and working conditions of the colony, where the poor and vagrants were housed and forced into labor. Stroll past this historic building and experience the special atmosphere of a place that once shaped the daily lives of many.

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5.0

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176

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#1.

Hoogstraten Town Hall – Wortel Prison loop from Hoogstraten

46.4km

03:20

70m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(11)

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#2.

Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Wortel

53.3km

03:07

70m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.4

(11)

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#3.

Wortel Prison – Wortel-Kolonie loop from Turnhout

35.6km

02:04

50m

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Tuesday 24 March

13°C

3°C

73 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Location: Hoogstraten, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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Wortel Prison

#1.

Hoogstraten Town Hall – Wortel Prison loop from Hoogstraten

#2.

Wortel-Kolonie – Wortel Prison loop from Wortel

#3.

Wortel Prison – Wortel-Kolonie loop from Turnhout

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