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Castles

Arenberg Castle and the Arenberg Watermill

Castles

Arenberg Castle and the Arenberg Watermill

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Arenberg Castle and the Arenberg Watermill

Name: Arenberg Castle and the Arenberg Watermill
Rating: 2

Recommended by 32 hikers

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Location: Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Arenberg Castle and the Arenberg Watermill

4.5

(48)

241

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1. Arenberg Castle Park – De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve loop from Heverlee

22.0km

05:36

70m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.6

(22)

123

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2. Wooden bridge over the Dijle – Arenberg Mill loop from Janseniushof

6.84km

01:45

20m

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

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Easy

4.5

(10)

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3. Park Abbey – Arenberg Castle loop from Belle-Vue

13.6km

03:32

80m

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

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Moderate

Tips

February 23, 2025

The first mention of a castle dates from 1371 when it was a heavy keep built by Rasse de Grez, also known as Raes van Graven, a knight who lived from 1368 to 1450 and was lord of Heverlee, Vaalbeek, Bertem, Blanden, Malève and Terbruggen, among other things.

The castle was demolished and the domain was ceded to the Croys (family of Croÿ) in 1446. During the first half of the sixteenth century, the reconstruction of the castle was restarted under Guillaume II de Croÿ (Willem II van Croÿ). His successor and nephew, Philip II van Croÿ, had it completed and finished, including a moat. He also had the park laid out and the avenue to Leuven extended.

After the death of Charles III of Croÿ in 1612, the castle went via his sister, Anna, to the Dukes of Arenberg who lived there until the First World War. In 1920 the university acquired the domain.

Sources and more info:
- inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/42570
- kuleuven.be/erfgoed/gebouwen-en-monumenten/arenbergkasteel

Translated by Google •

February 23, 2025

The watermill at Arenberg Castle was probably rebuilt around 1636 on a watermill site known before 1286, which was then equipped with two waterwheels. Major repairs were carried out on the locks around 1722-23 and 1733-35, and images of the mill also indicate modifications to the mill building in the 18th century. Around 1875, the watermill underwent a facade restoration and extension according to the then prevailing views, under the direction of architect Claes. At the same time (1870-80), the mill was equipped with a new bluestone lock and two wooden waterwheels. The waterwheels were replaced by metal wheels at the end of the 19th century, and the locks were also modified in the early 20th century. In 1940, the mill was demolished and the mill was converted into a drawing room; externally the mill was preserved, as well as the lock and the two water wheels. Source and more information: inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/42570

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Hebari Hike&Bike

February 10, 2025

The lords of Heverlee built a first castle here in the 14th century. From the beginning of the 16th century, the current castle was built in Renaissance style. In the 19th century, it was extensively renovated in neo-Gothic style. In 1921, the castle became the property of the University of Leuven, which at that time was struggling with an acute shortage of space in the city.
This green area on the edge of Leuven is still owned by the KU Leuven today. It is the campus for Science and Technology.
Source: Visit Leuven

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Elevation 70 m

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Monday 1 December

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Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Location: Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Arenberg Castle and the Arenberg Watermill

1. Arenberg Castle Park – De Doode Bemde Nature Reserve loop from Heverlee

2. Wooden bridge over the Dijle – Arenberg Mill loop from Janseniushof

3. Park Abbey – Arenberg Castle loop from Belle-Vue

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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