ボーヴシェンの天然記念物・トップ20

beautiful forest chapel

Already 304 years old? Time flies!

In 1652, in the middle of the Meerdaalwoud, Lord van Steenbergen had a chapel built on the site where there had previously been a miraculous statue of Mary who cured people suffering from marsh fever.

The Tomberg is the second highest place in the forest (102 m). It is not a prehistoric burial mound (or tomb) as our ancestors thought, but a natural elevation, a dune mound that millions of years ago, together with the Mommendeel mound, actually protruded above the sea at that time. It is here that the illustrious forest court sat for hundreds of years. In the Middle Ages, every free man was in principle allowed to hunt without restriction in forests, meadows and swamps. The big exception were the free forests, the private forests of the dukes. Meerdaalwoud was such a free forest and hunting rights belonged exclusively to the Duke of Arenberg. At first the forest court was itinerant and justice was administered in the various villages. Later, a special building was erected here on the Tomberg for the court hearings. Later still, a hearing was held at Heverlee castle. The punishments were not lenient, but it is thanks to that forest justice that the forest still exists today and has not been sacrificed to the needs of the farmers and citizens in the area. The forest right came to an end with the arrival of the French in 1795. You can read this - and much more - at https://www.onroerenderfgoed.be/archeologische-fietstocht-heverlee

The bench is partly broken, the gazebo is a bit outdated, but it remains wonderful under that tree with a view of heather and ferns. Especially at this time of year, this is a wonderful place for those who love quiet places full of ferns that strive to become the largest and have the most beautiful shades of green. Some of the small paths at the base of the hill are near small stretches of water with life. Those seeking peace and quiet come here outside busier periods to enjoy a jungle of ferns in a wonderful open space. The views from the paths below to the ferns on the hillsides demand beautiful photos.

The urban herb garden, also known to Leuven residents as the botanical garden, the entire history of which can be read in a nice article on the KU Leuven website: https://stories.kuleuven.be/nl/tales/de-kiemen- from-the-herb-garden - from educational garden to rest picking garden.

The urban herb garden, also known to Leuven residents as the botanical garden, the entire history of which can be read in a nice article on the KU Leuven website: https://stories.kuleuven.be/nl/tales/de-kiemen- from-the-herb-garden - from educational garden to rest picking garden.

From Mollendaal up a treacherous cobblestone road that hurts the calves, but with a concrete gutter next to it. Continues to climb imperceptibly but steeply.