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Hof van Kerkom

Castles

Hof van Kerkom

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Hof van Kerkom

Name: Hof van Kerkom
Rating: 2

Recommended by 11 hikers

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Location: Boutersem, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Hof van Kerkom

4.2

(17)

115

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1. Bench With View of Kerkom – Small bridge over the Velpe loop from Kerkom

10.1km

02:39

80m

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

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Moderate

5.0

(1)

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2. Keiberg Play Forest – Bench With View of Kerkom loop from Binkom

11.5km

03:01

80m

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

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Moderate

5.0

(3)

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3. Rozendaalbeek Valley – Small bridge over the Velpe loop from Kerkom

20.9km

05:27

140m

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

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Hard

Tips

February 21, 2025

The historic 'Hof van Kerkom' consists of a country house with the associated farm to the north. The estate is located northwest of the church of Kerkom. The surrounding domain, laid out in a landscape style, is accessible via a gate diagonally opposite the church.

According to the available data, the Hof van Kerkom originated in a farm that was established here by the abbey of Inde in Corneli-Munster near Aachen and in terms of origin dates back to at least the 13th century. In a deed from 1641 in which the abbey farm was transferred to master Denis Van den Berghe, secretary of the city of Tienen, the farm is called 'Hof van Kerchem'.

Incidentally, the Hof van Kerkom was the seat of one of the four feudal jurisdictions of Kerkom.

According to J. Halflants, a new residential area (current east wing) was built in the 17th century as a residence for the owners, the stables adjoining the north were then converted into a farmhouse and new stables were built at right angles to this.

On the Ferraris map of 1771-1777, the courtyard is shown as a whole of four detached volumes around a central yard with a high-stemmed orchard to the northwest, which is bordered by a row of trees. The buildings are rectangular volumes, with the exception of the southern and eastern ones, which have an L-shaped plan. A few smaller volumes are located to the west of the complex.

After having had various owners over the centuries, the domain was sold in 1877 to Edouard Martens, professor at the University of Leuven. During the time of Edouard Martens (1831-1902), the residential area was converted into a 'castle'; the southern barn was partially demolished and the living area was extended to the south by 12 metres or six bays, so that the entire wing at that time had nine bays.

In 1902, Charles Martens (1866-1921) inherited the castle from his father Edouard; he acquired the entire domain because his sister, who had entered the convent, gave her inheritance to her brother. A new construction phase was started: in his function as composer, Charles had part of the farm buildings demolished and the then 'castle' enlarged with a second 'grand salon' to be able to organise concerts there.

The domain of 38 ha was preserved in its entirety until it was split in 1965 during a division of the inheritance.

Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Hof van Kerkom, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/216477

Translated by Google •

February 21, 2025

Today, the whole consists of a spacious park that is accessible in the southeastern corner; in the axis of the entrance lies the U-shaped planted country house with the oldest part dating back to at least the 17th century and extensions and adjustments from around 1914; adjoining to the north lies the farmhouse with the 17th century stables at right angles to it; to the northwest of this lies the L-shaped wing from around 1914; to the east of this volume and to the north of the living wing lies the barn, now converted into a recording studio, also from around 1914.

The entrance to the domain, diagonally opposite the church, consists of an iron gate between bluestone pillars crowned with a stylized ornamental vase. Along the cobbled Kerkstraat, the brick enclosure wall has been preserved. Both the wall and the gate date from the last quarter of the 19th century. A cobbled road gives access to the country house and continues as a paved road around the honorary square.

The country house, originally a rectangular volume of three bays and two storeys in traditional style, dating back to the 17th century, was expanded to a wing of 9 bays at the time of E. Martens and expanded again around 1914 at the time of C. Martens by adding a perpendicular extension with the second salon and a tower-shaped staircase at the site of the former barn; the extension was carried out in a neo-traditional style so that the whole has a fairly uniform appearance. After the division in 1965, the three left bays and the perpendicular extension with the second salon were completely demolished.

Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Hof van Kerkom, id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/216477

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 100 m

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Location: Boutersem, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

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Hof van Kerkom

1. Bench With View of Kerkom – Small bridge over the Velpe loop from Kerkom

2. Keiberg Play Forest – Bench With View of Kerkom loop from Binkom

3. Rozendaalbeek Valley – Small bridge over the Velpe loop from Kerkom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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