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Our Challenge
We are Jens and Lander. Two guys in our early twenties who are on a mission to visit all 581 municipalities in Belgium. Our starting day is the first of November 2023.
Environment and Community
For the ninth municipality we went to Zandhoven. It is part of the Kempen region and has more than 13,000 inhabitants. The municipality is located in the central part of the province of Antwerpen. Zandhoven also has 4 sub-municipalities, namely Pulderbos, Pulle, Massenhoven and Viersel. Zandhoven, Massenhoven and Viersel have the zip code 2240, Pulderbos 2242 and Pulle 2243. The inhabitants of Zandhoven are nicknamed 'Doppendragers'.
History and Must sees
The municipality has two castles. The 'Hof van Liere' is located at Hofeinde 2-4. This castle is located on private property. It is surrounded by water and was renovated in both the 15th and 19th centuries. The other castle is located at Boutersemdreef 15. It goes under the name 'Bautersemhof' and descends from 1270. This castle is also surrounded by water and has been renovated several times. In addition to the Sint-Amelberga Church, the municipality is also known for windmills. The 'Zeldenrust' windmill is located on the border of Zandhoven and Viersel. It was built between 1986 and 1997 and was used as a flour mill.
The Albert Canal, which later flows into the Scheldt, flows through Massenhoven and Viersel. Another watercourse in the municipality is the Willeborrebeek.
Finally, Zandhoven is an important municipality in terms of mobility. It is easily accessible with the Albert Canal and two motorways, the E313 and E34.
Exploring Suburbs
The inhabitants of Massenhoven are called 'Vliegenstovers'. This sub-municipality has also a castle. Castle Montens also called Hof from Massenhoven is located at Kasteelstraat 1. Since 1812 it has been owned by the Montens family, who made the necessary renovations. Pulle residents are called 'Heikneuters'. Until the end of 1976 this was an independent municipality. As a result, the old town hall can still be seen within the village center.
The four sub-municipalities have a lot of greenery and therefore perfect for walks which are described later in this blog.
Discovering Belgium
Recommendations:
Walks:
Castle Vrieselhof - Beautiful spot in the park Round trip from Zandhoven (21km)
Difficult walk. Very good condition required. Particularly well-trodden paths. Starting point can be reached by public transport.
Infobord Viersels Gebroekt - Picnic spot on the dike round trip from Viersel (4.75km)
Easy walk. Suitable for all fitness levels. Easy walks. Suitable for all fitness levels. Starting point accessible by public transport.
Permanent hiking trails:
Schoutvorstpad (Zandhoven): 7.5 km
Molenpad (Pulderbos): 9.6 km
Welcome to the beautiful trails of Lovenhoek (Pulderbos), Blommerschotpad (Pulderbos), and Viersels gebroektpad (Viersel)! Get ready to explore 5.5 km, 1.30 km, and 6.10 km of stunning scenery and natural beauty.
Musea:
Museum de Groot Zoersel History and collection
Museum de Groot Zoersel History focuses on local history. Every village has its own history: Zoersel as a double village with West-Malle, Halle as an old seigniory and Sint-Antonius as a hamlet of Brecht.
Elektriciteitsmuseum Pulderbos and its collection
The small Pulderbos Electricity Museum displays a collection of electrical equipment.
The Beeldenhuis and its collection
The Sculpture House displays a number of works by the Flemish sculptor couple Pol Van Esbroeck and Mariette Coppens. Art workshops for children and guided tours can be arranged on request.
Regional Products
Bakery Claus from Pulderbos has created a new cookie to keep the history of Zandhoven alive: ZANDHOVENSE DOPPEN.
Conclusion
Positive aspects of the municipality of Zandhoven:
1. Picturesque surroundings: Zandhoven offers a charming and rural environment with beautiful natural areas.
2. Community spirit: The community is close-knit, and there are numerous local events that foster engagement.
3. Amenities: Zandhoven has good facilities, including schools, sports amenities, and local shops.
Negative aspects:
1. Mobility: Accessibility via public transportation may be limited, posing a challenge for some residents.
2. Limited nightlife: The entertainment options may be limited compared to larger cities.
3. Infrastructure challenges: Concerns may exist about the condition of certain infrastructure, such as roads and bike paths.
Overall, Zandhoven has its charms, but like any municipality, it also has some areas that require attention.
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Don't forget to check out our other discoveries.
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