The best traffic-free bike rides in Dunbergbroek (Hagelandse Vallei)

Beautiful church, but drove past it.

Just one of many

looked beautiful from a distance

The last resident, Louis Van Tilt, was not only a colonel who fought on the front lines during the First World War; afterwards, he also became a champion for war victims in Holsbeek, where he served as mayor from 1931 to 1938. 'It was he who initiated the idea of giving all soldiers who fell on the territory of Holsbeek during the wars a final resting place in the local cemetery. That is why 32 soldiers are buried there. Even today, a tribute is paid to these fallen soldiers on November 11,' explains Rudy Janssens of the local history society and alderman in Holsbeek. The Van Tilt family saw the castle completely destroyed at the beginning of WWI. During the German invasion in 1940, the castle was occupied. The family lost sons Jacques and Emiel, who were arrested as resistance fighters and, after torture, were executed in Breendonk in April 1944. During the liberation by the British, they stayed on the estate for a while. It is said that General Montgomery pitched his tents there. (c) https://www.nieuwsblad.be/regio/vlaams-brabant/oost-brabant/holsbeek/kasteel-van-attenhoven-heeft-ook-een-oorlogsverleden/62498840.html

The city of Leuven and its surroundings offer superb cycling infrastructure. This impressive crossing of the train station is part of it.

This bike path, which runs directly over the railway tracks through the main station, is very convenient. Simply take the elevator up, hop on your bike 🚲, and head into the city 👍

Dijlepad...

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