Attractions and Places To See in Vallei Van De Mark En Kasteel Van Hoogstraten - Top 18

Nice little church. It was closed when we were there.

Celebrations with style and history Today, 't Withof serves as an exclusive event venue for private parties, weddings, communions, and corporate meetings. The historic setting is combined with contemporary comfort: a spacious hall, modern amenities, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and an idyllic garden view make every occasion special. Whether you're here to celebrate, network, or simply enjoy the atmosphere – 't Withof offers a warm and stylish setting that's guaranteed to impress your guests. 📍 Practical information • 📍 Address: Withof 2, Minderhout (Hoogstraten) • 🔐 Accessibility: Only for events or by appointment • 🚗 Parking: Private parking on the grounds, including disabled facilities • ℹ️ More information & bookings: www.hetwithof.be

't Withof – Historical heritage in the green heart of Minderhout (Hoogstraten) Hidden in the rural village of Minderhout, a sub-municipality of Hoogstraten, you'll find 't Withof: a beautiful, walled, historic rectory, steeped in character and tranquility. Once known as the Witherenhof, this place is now a charming event venue and a protected heritage site where past and present blend harmoniously. 🕰 A past that continues to speak The core of 't Withof dates from the 15th to the 17th century, with notable elements from later periods. A striking feature is the monumental gatehouse with a Baroque doorframe, originating from a former manor house in Sint-Niklaas. The entire site was carefully restored in the 1970s and has been officially protected as a monument and cultural-historical landscape since 1976. Within the ramparts stretches a green oasis of over a hectare, with majestic trees, a well-maintained park garden and charming water features – a unique entity that is rare in Flanders today.

The castle is surrounded by a moat and an estate of approximately 70 hectares, including meadows and farmland. The castle is not open to the public due to its function as a prison. In the past, the castle also played a role in the Eighty Years' War, where it played a significant role in the battle between Spanish and Dutch troops, according to BENEGO.

The former castle of Hoogstraten, also known as Gelmelslot, is a castle with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Today, the castle serves as a Penitentiary School Center (PSC), a penitentiary where inmates receive vocational training. The castle has served various purposes over the years. Built in the 16th century by Rombout II Keldermans, a renowned architect, it originally served a defensive purpose. In the 18th century, the castle was damaged by fire and later looted. After a period of decline, the castle was used as a beggar's asylum, agricultural colony, and refuge in the 19th century. Since 1931, it has been used as a Penitentiary School Center, the only penitentiary in Flanders where inmates systematically receive vocational training.

This charming chapel in Minderhout was built in the mid-17th century by Pastor Waltman van Dyck, brother of the painter Anthony van Dyck. The name "Our Lady of the Field" refers to an old legend: a girl found a statue under a bush that kept returning to that spot, even when brought to the church. This was seen as a sign that Mary wanted to be venerated there, and so a chapel was built.

The Laermolen is an undershot watermill located on the Mark River on Molenstraat between Hoogstraten and Minderhout. The first mention of the mill dates back to 1405, but it is likely older. It was formerly a double mill: a corn mill, later a bark mill on the left bank, and an oil mill on the right bank. The oil mill was shut down in 1860, and the rest of the mill in 1913, because the owners had sold the dam rights. After 1918, the bark mill was demolished, leaving only the remains of the oil mill and the lock floor. Since 1995, the non-profit organization De Laermolen has campaigned for its restoration. In 2004, the oil mill was put back into operation. The municipality of Hoogstraten purchased the mill in 2005 and granted it a leasehold to the non-profit organization. The mill is now functioning again and is open to the public on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Every year, "smoutebollen" (Dutch doughnuts) are served, fried in oil produced by the mill.

Chapel from around 1880, designed by E. Pelgrims, restored in 1980. Built by order of the owner of the ducal farm (1772), which was destroyed in 1942. The current farm dates from 1945. Single-nave neo-Gothic chapel of one bay with choir of one straight bay and three-sided closure, preceded by a lower, openwork portal; slate saddle roofs (ridge perpendicular to and parallel to the street). Pointed and list facades of brick and bluestone, the former with a roof on shoulder pieces, cross or top decoration, the latter with dentil molding; ornamental anchors; articulated corner buttresses. Bluestone facade plate with inscription: "Come to me, all you who are burdened and heavy laden, for I will refresh you". Single and coupled pointed arch wall openings and oculi in profiled brick frame. Wooden door with ornate wrought iron fittings. Interior: vaulting with wooden cross, barrel and beam vaults, brick walls, black marble floor. Wrought iron choir screen; simple altar top on polychrome wooden pillar; choir apse with niche containing polychrome Sacred Heart statue.