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The church of Laar has two patron saints: Saint Engelbert and Saint Bernard. This neo-Gothic building dates from 1867 and was designed by architect Baeckelmans. The church features an elongated, hedged churchyard behind it. On the left and right sides of the nave are a concentration of old grave markers and priests' tombs. The churchyard also features the striking neo-Gothic burial chapel of the De Meester family, a statue of the Sacred Heart, and a Calvary. (Inventory of Immovable Heritage)

dog swimming area allowed

The Hofstade Ponds: From Railway Bed to Sports Paradise The Hofstade ponds owe their existence to the construction of the Brussels–Antwerp railway line around 1902. Excavations for a raised railway embankment left behind deep pits that spontaneously filled with groundwater during World War I. These ponds spontaneously became a popular recreational spot for the surrounding region. From the 1920s onwards, Hofstade Plage grew into a popular destination for day trippers, with beaches, cafés, and bustling crowds, sometimes attracting up to 7,000 visitors per day. In 1925, Mechelen claimed the ponds as a drinking water reservoir (up to 5,600 m³/day), after which access was severely restricted. In the interwar period, from 1932 onwards, a section (11 hectares) was officially designated as a recreation park, with a beach, pavilions, a 100-meter outdoor swimming pool, and modernist infrastructure designed by renowned architects such as Victor Bourgeois. During World War II, the estate was used by Germans, and later by Americans, as a vehicle repair shop. After World War II, the estate experienced a new period of prosperity. With tens of thousands of visitors per season, Hofstade was also known as the "poor man's sea" – a place where everyone could find sun, swimming, and beach fun close to home. From BLOSO to Sport Vlaanderen In the 1990s, the estate lost popularity. The outdoor swimming pool closed, and the recreational infrastructure fell into disrepair. In 1991, BLOSO (now Sport Vlaanderen) took over management, with the aim of modernizing the estate and transforming it into a sports- and nature-friendly area. Since then, the estate has been revitalized with sports facilities, nature development, and a master plan for redevelopment. Sport Vlaanderen focused fully on quality, sustainability, and accessibility. The Hofstade estate currently covers over 160 hectares, with two large ponds, an 800-meter sandy beach, and numerous sports and leisure facilities. Beach access is currently subject to a fee during the summer, with additional amenities such as first aid, a lifeguard, and catering. By 2028, Sport Vlaanderen is planning an ambitious new construction project with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a surfing pool, and new changing and training facilities. Hofstade aims to become a leading water sports center in Flanders – where recreation, elite sports, and experiencing nature converge.

The Chapel of 't Hammeke in Zemst: Between Water and Pavement. The Chapel of Our Lady in 't Hammeke, popularly known as the Chapel of Ham, is nestled in the Zenne Valley near Zemst. Originally founded in the 15th century on a siltation ("ham") of the Zenne, the chapel served as a local pilgrimage site for centuries. Due to the straightening of the Zenne in 1485 and the construction of the E19 motorway in the 20th century, it was literally trapped between the river and the motorway. The surrounding neighborhood, "De Brug," disappeared, and the chapel became isolated and threatened. Thanks to its protection as a monument since 1974 and a restoration grant from the Flemish government in 2021, the chapel recently underwent a thorough renovation. Archaeological research uncovered remains of centuries-old foundations. Since September 2023, the interior has been permanently visible through a reopened alcove. This special chapel, at the intersection of nature, history and infrastructure, continues to tell its silent story.

The Barebeek meanders peacefully through the flat landscape of Flemish Brabant and offers a peaceful setting of open banks, damp grasslands and typical stream valley flora. The path along the stream is often soft and natural, ideal for those who enjoy a quiet walk or relaxed bike ride between reed beds and whistling birds.

The Weerdse Visvijver is a large dug-out water surrounded by trees located directly on a highway in the Zemst sub-municipality of Weerde. The area is mainly used by recreational users such as fishermen, bird watchers, hikers and cyclists. The Weerdse beer festival is held annually near the pond. The pond is located in the rectangle formed by the Weerde - Muizen railway line in the north, the E19 motorway in the east, the Robert Schumanlaan in the south and the Galgenberg in the west. The pond is roughly oval-shaped and slightly more than 14 hectares in size. The length (north-south) is 500 meters and the width (east-west) is more than 300 meters. The depth is nowhere more than 7 meters. The water is a little cloudy and there are almost no aquatic plants. In the middle is a lightly wooded island of several hectares in size. A belt of trees runs around the pond, which expands to a real forest in the north and southeast, where the Zenne also flows.

A stream between the trees

Start/end point at the church of Elewijt, ample parking