Tips
🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën
August 25, 2025
Cycling
From here, you'll find yourself at the entrance to the Vrijbroekpark Hotel Ruin. Cycling is not permitted here. You can explore the Hotel Ruin and the Street Art Festival at a walking pace.
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•🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën
October 10, 2025
Cycling
A colorful discovery for artists and admirers.
Historical context: In the late 1960s, the Mechelen city council wanted to build a conference center at this location. The location was ideal, with the E19 motorway nearby. One problem: there was no significant conference infrastructure. Several Belgian entrepreneurs were willing to build and operate the complex. The building was to have 18 floors, including meeting rooms, restaurants, and hotel rooms. Construction began in 1972 but was soon halted. According to some sources, this was because the building subsided into the marshy subsoil, while others attributed it to a lack of financing.
Historical context: In the late 1960s, the Mechelen city council wanted to build a conference center at this location. The location was ideal, with the E19 motorway nearby. One problem: there was no significant conference infrastructure. Several Belgian entrepreneurs were willing to build and operate the complex. The building was to have 18 floors, including meeting rooms, restaurants, and hotel rooms. Construction began in 1972 but was soon halted. According to some sources, this was because the building subsided into the marshy subsoil, while others attributed it to a lack of financing.
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•VISITFLANDERS
June 2, 2025
Hiking
Did you know that there is a hotel ruin in the Vrijbroekpark? In the 70s, the construction of this hotel was stopped after two floors. For several decades, nature was given free rein at this location. Since 2025, you can enjoy the fauna & flora, the street art and the mysterious atmosphere on the ruin. As a highlight of your visit, you can take the stairs to the viewing platform on the roof.
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•Routes here
Best routes to Hotel ruins
4.2
(13)
84
hikers
23.0km
05:50
50m
50m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard
4.5
(25)
333
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Easy
4.5
(20)
90
hikers
12.3km
03:08
30m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Moderate
Details
Informations
Elevation 0 m
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Sunday 22 February
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