Berlaar: History and Landscape in the Grote Nete Valley

Berlaar combines historic village scenery with a cultural landscape in the Grote Nete valley. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home will find a variety of points of interest to consider when planning their trip: the historic church and chapels, historic manor houses, and a landscape whose present-day appearance is closely linked to agriculture and river meadows.

Culture and History around Lambertusplaats

A prominent starting point for cultural discoveries is Lambertusplaats. A pillory dating from 1779 has been preserved there. The square also features an attractive, well-preserved historic village centre with historic buildings arranged approximately in a U shape. To the north stands the Gothic Sint-Lambertus Church, whose oldest parts, particularly the tower and nave, date from the 15th century. The preserved churchyard is surrounded by a brick wall and contains several striking tomb monuments.

The interior of Sint-Lambertus Church also contains a remarkable art-historical detail: a 17th-century painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary by G. Backereel. For visitors who seek not only landscapes but also sacred art and historic village settings during their stay, this can form part of a varied cultural itinerary. Berlaar’s chapels have not only symbolic significance but also landscape, cultural-historical and artistic value. They include a square natural-stone chapel dedicated to Our Lady, situated along an avenue of plane trees.

Gestelhof, Rameyen and the Landscape of the Grote Nete

The Gestelhof castle estate has been protected as a monument since 17 December 1981. The area around Gestel is characterised as an agricultural region by the cultivation of castle estates and the farms associated with them. The “Gestel en omgeving” landscape area lies within the municipalities of Berlaar and Nijlen in the Grote Nete valley. On Ferraris’s cabinet map from 1770 to 1778, the historic landscape is characterised by continuous meadows along the strongly meandering Grote Nete. A succession of arable fields and pastureland flanks these meadows.

Another historical highlight is Hof van Rameyen, whose core dates back to the 13th century. The ensemble is surrounded by a landscaped park containing, among other trees, sequoias, magnolias, cypresses, chestnut trees and lime trees. Several monumental ornamental vases add to the appearance of the park. Thus, when choosing accommodation, historic architecture, landscaped grounds and the open surroundings of the Grote Nete valley come together, without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.

Berlaar as a Suitable Base for Different Days Out

Berlaar is listed in the route planning for the Kempische Netevallei. Those who enjoy travelling on foot or by bicycle can incorporate this information into their own plans and combine cultural destinations with experiencing the landscape. This allows families to plan flexibly: one day can be devoted to the historic village setting and the church, and another to the landscapes around Gestel and the Grote Nete. The chapels mentioned, the churchyard, Lambertusplaats and the historic ensembles each offer different focal points and can therefore be selected according to personal interests.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Berlaar, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel style first. The focus may be on culture and sacred art, on the landscape of the Grote Nete valley, or on combining historic estates with walking or cycling tours.

You can find more destinations for your trip planning at Willebroek, Brecht, Mechelen, Beerse, Antwerp, Eindhout, Zoersel and Rijmenam.

For the broader travel overview: Antwerp Province.