Top 20 Natural Monuments around Bierbeek

Nearby is the spring where apparently very healthy water can be tapped.

Very colorful in autumn...

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/

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.

For those who have traded in their horse for a steel steed. Information boards and such on site.

The Doode Bemde is a nature reserve of almost 300 hectares. It is located on both sides of the Dyle on the territory of Oud-Heverlee, Sint-Joris-Weert, Neerijse (Huldenberg) and Korbeek-Dijle (Bertem). The Dyle still has its original meanders here and can regularly overflow its banks. This ensures a wide variety of biotopes. It is the largest private nature reserve in Flemish Brabant. The name of the nature reserve can be easily explained. 'Dead' refers to the unsuitability of the land for farmers. A 'Bemde' is a moist grassland. Info and source: Friends of Heverleebos and Meerdaalwoud https://vhm.be/doode-bemde/

Contrary to what its name suggests, this humid nature reserve in the Dyle Valley is buzzing with life. Can you find the traces of beavers who shape the area like real landscape architects? Or will you spot a kingfisher, great egret or kestrel from the bird watching huts? Where does that strange name come from? Well, 'Doode' points to the fact that the land cannot be cultivated by farmers. And 'bemde' stands for 'moist grassland'. So we are now putting on our boots for a brisk walk in the 'unusable grasslands' of the Dyle Valley.