Lichtaart: Nature, Culture and Special Excursions

Lichtaart is a varied destination for anyone who wants to combine experiences in nature, regional history and special excursions. The focus is on Hoge Rielen in the province of Antwerp, which lies at the intersection of the three districts of Kasterlee, Lichtaart and Tielen. This allows you to plan a stay with different focuses: you can explore landscapes, discover historic buildings or plan an eventful day at Bobbejaanland.

Nature in Hoge Rielen and the Witte Bergen

Those who want to spend time outdoors will find several heathlands in Hoge Rielen. Heath corridors connect these areas and expand the habitat of butterflies and dragonflies. Another natural destination is Zwart Water in the wooded Witte Bergen. There is a bird-watching area with a bird-watching hut. A guided landscape walk in Hoge Rielen is also a good option for planning your day. It explains the history of the area and focuses on its different landscapes.

This combination is suitable for planning a trip with different paces: on one day, you can focus on landscapes and wildlife observation, and on another, on a guided tour or an excursion. When looking for a holiday apartment in Lichtaart, you can therefore consider whether experiences in nature should be the main focus or whether you would like to combine several different activities.

Chapels, Church and Historic Traces

Lichtaart also has interesting examples of regional architectural and ecclesiastical history. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw in 't Zand Chapel bears a date of 1688 in sandstone on its western gable facade. This probably refers to the rebuilding of an older late-Gothic chapel. The Rielenkapel was rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century; a reference from 1610 provides information about this. At the same time, it is already mentioned in a rent book from 1564. Its furnishings include a carillon from 1996 and 1999.

The parish church of Lichtaart also offers several specific starting points for a cultural and historical exploration. Its massive Gothic tower dates from the beginning of the 16th century and is considered the oldest brick structure in the village. The panelling and choir stalls come from Vlierbeek Abbey. They probably came to the parish after several monasteries were dissolved during French rule from 1794 to 1815.

The history of the village also includes the presbytery of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe parish. It was built in 1675 and probably replaced an older building made of wood or timber framing. The site comprises three detached, U-shaped buildings that can be reached via a bridge. Those interested in architectural forms, ecclesiastical history and older village structures can view these sites as a separate cultural focus of their trip.

Excursions for Different Interests

For an experience-oriented day, Bobbejaanland is an appealing option. The amusement park first opened its gates on 31 December 1961. It is also home to the Revolution and Speedy Bob roller coasters. Bobbejaanland has more than 40 attractions for children and adults in total. This allows you to complement your stay in Lichtaart with an excursion that is clearly different from a hike or a visit focused on cultural history.

There is also a way to spend the day differently on the water. Canoe trips depart from Ark van Noë in Lichtaart. You can choose the distance, pace and boat. This selection allows you to plan the excursion according to your preferred itinerary without giving up the nature and culture themes of your stay.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Your Travel Plan

When looking for accommodation in Lichtaart, it is worth first organizing the experiences you want. If the trip is to focus mainly on heathlands, woodland and birdwatching, Hoge Rielen and Zwart Water should be the priorities. If you are more interested in historical impressions, the Rielenkapel, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw in 't Zand Chapel, the presbytery and the parish church offer several different themes. For a varied family stay, these interests can be combined with Bobbejaanland or a canoe trip at Ark van Noë.

A holiday apartment in Lichtaart is therefore suitable for a trip in which you do not plan just one excursion destination, but want to balance nature, history and leisure activities.

To the overarching travel overview: Kasterlee.