ティーネンの湖・トップ20

Want to get a feel for the life on and around Het Vinne? The observation tower is literally a highlight for birdwatchers and lovers of fauna and flora.

Since the spring of 2025, the lookout tower has also been the starting point for the "The Legend of Het Vinne" hike. But you have to climb all the way to the top floor (fortunately, it's only two flights of stairs) to get started. There, you'll also find a map and discover more about "the magical legend of brave Ronald"—and his buddy Ronny. A listening story for the younger and young-at-heart hiker that takes you to eight locations with the friends Ronald and Ronny. The voices are by Dimitri Leue, Francesca Vanthielen, Frank Deboosere, Nic Balthazar, and Saartje Vandendriessche. The hike is 4.3 km long and takes two hours. I really enjoyed the letter forest. And also... Wait, figure it out for yourself. Info at https://pers.vlaamsbrabant.be/luisterverhaal-breng-het-vinne-tot-leven-h1j5j8 There's really no reason now not to go to Het Vinne with your children or grandchildren. At least, that's what I think. But I already thought that a few decades ago when the previous tower was there, as my now-rudely grown-up kids can attest ;)

Where man and water are at peace with nature...

The description is very accurate. Thank you.

Very relaxing, beautiful well-maintained paths.

The core of Horst Castle probably dates back to the 13th century and is characterised by a square keep. The keep probably belonged to the oldest core that was further expanded into a fortified castle in the 15th century. During the troubles under Maximilian of Austria in 1489, the castle of Horst was taken by the people of Leuven and set on fire. According to literary sources, only the keep, part of the entrance gate and a defensive wall remained standing. The residential and east wing were renovated and expanded in the 16th century. The round tower also dates from this period. The outer wall was provided with a rectangular bay window. The castle lost its military character and became more of a pleasant residential area with a view of the moat, the ponds and the inner courtyard. Brick construction with sandstone layers characterise these buildings. In 1587, however, the castle was set on fire again during the raids of the Geuzen. It was not until the beginning of the 17th century that restoration work began. It is difficult to deduce from the available sources to what extent this involved restoration or an embellishing conversion of the castle complex. Presumably nothing changed in the internal structure, but only after the structurally necessary repairs were the interiors completely refinished. Maria-Anna Van den Tympel had a new chapel built against the keep in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the complex must have been damaged by plundering and neglect, and it is possible that it also suffered from plundering during the Brabant Revolution of 1830. Around 1850, the castle must have been habitable again, but the castle buildings only served as a farm. In the land registry, the site around the castle is called "De Notelaren Boomgaerd". Around that time, the most dilapidated part must have been demolished, namely the southern part and the superstructure of the gate. The rest of the complex was probably restored with reused demolition material and in traditional style. The castle was divided in 1880, with one part being registered as a school house. In 1897, a further division followed, with two plots being designated as houses. Several restoration campaigns followed in the 20th century. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Horst Castle, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/43619

Since December, there has been a spire on the castle again after the unstable spire was removed more than four years ago and could be viewed on a wooden platform in the pond. Now it is back. And the other works are also progressing quickly. More about the replaced spire on https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2024/12/10/torenspits-staat-weer-op-kasteel-van-horst-holsbeek/

Here you'll go to the birdwatching hut on the water, which is located a few meters further out on the lake. In normal, wet conditions, you'll also walk a fair distance above the lake, which is surrounded on both sides by a boardwalk with poles. From the hut itself, you can see almost the entire lake, and it usually doesn't take long for waterfowl like cormorants to fly past your lens. On both sides of the path, you can admire the water lilies, depending on the season, of course.