At this location you are at a unique piece of heritage. A Rupilan brickworks tunnel under the Antwerp – Boom – Puurs railway line.
Today the brickworks tunnels are being rediscovered and given new uses.
For example, there are tunnels that are used as a passageway for walkers or cyclists who can discover the green oases behind the Rupeldijk.
Animals such as beavers, otters and salamanders also use these stings. Bats hibernate in some tunnels.
In the Schorre, a tunnel is even used at the Tomorrowland Dance Festival as a location for the smallest stage, the 'Rave Cave'.
Today there are more than 50 tunnels to be rediscovered in the Rupel region…
From the 18th century, the Rupelian clay front was excavated further and further inland. At this location in Niel - Hellegat and Noeveren, the clay bricks reached the first transverse comb road (current Nielsestraat) in the early 19th century. Transporting the heavy clay up and down the road was a titanic task for the workers. The brickmakers were therefore given permission to build tunnels under the road. A solution that was soon followed up by the competing brickmakers from Boom, Terhagen, Hemiksem and Niel.
The tunnels were an important link in the entire clay extraction process. They formed the connection between the inland clay pit and the ovens, loading and unloading quay on the Rupel.
In the 19th century, horses pulled the clay carts to their destination on narrow gauge railways.
Later in the 20th century, the horses were replaced by small 'Duveltjes'. These are small steam locomotives.
More information on the information boards or regional museums.