Sint-Katelijne-Waver: Vegetables, Cultural Heritage and Nature

Sint-Katelijne-Waver combines horticultural heritage with peaceful nature experiences and a variety of routes. Those planning a trip can choose between an interactive museum, historic buildings, walking trails and cycling routes. This makes it possible to tailor the search for a suitable holiday apartment to your personal travel plans: cultural discoveries, outdoor activities or days spent in a biodiverse landscape.

Vegetables, gardens and historic buildings

A special attraction is the 't Grom Vegetable Museum. It is considered Flanders' first interactive museum dedicated to vegetables and horticultural heritage. The museum is located on the historic grounds of the 18th-century Midzeelhoeve farm. Visitors can walk among vegetable beds and admire typical greenhouses from the region. A visit therefore offers not only a museum experience, but also an introduction to a specific part of the region's horticultural history.

Domein Roosendael also offers historical points of interest. Its features include the 17th-century Pesthuis and ring moat, as well as the 18th-century gatehouse and coach house. Those interested in preserved buildings and historic farm complexes can take these aspects into account when planning their stay.

The Ursuline Winter Garden is also located in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, a district of Sint-Katelijne-Waver. The Art Nouveau winter garden dates from 1900 and has a stained-glass dome. Visitors can choose from an interactive experience trail, an audio guide and guided tours. The nearest bus stop to the Ursuline Winter Garden is “Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver Kerk”; it is 200 metres from the Ursuline Institute.

Walking trails, nature and cycling region

The Roosendaelpad is a 10-kilometre walking trail along unpaved paths and quiet roads. Those wishing to include a longer walk in their stay will find a clearly defined route here. The Roosendael Boardwalk is freely accessible all year round. Along it, visitors can walk between the roots of two two-hundred-year-old plane trees.

The Hondsbossen form a varied landscape with remarkable biodiversity. Signposts lead from the centre of Sint-Katelijne-Waver to the Hondsbossen. The area of the Abdij van Rozendaal is also situated along the Nete. It is an extensive nature reserve with rich and remarkable fauna and flora. These different landscape features offer several options for planning a trip without having to spend every day in the same way.

Sint-Katelijne-Waver can also be explored by bicycle. The town is part of the cycle node network in the Antwerp Kempen. The Groentepad is a 34-kilometre cycling route through the vegetable-growing region. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore be decisive whether you mainly want to visit museums and historic sites, use walking trails or plan a longer cycling tour.

Insights into the regional horticultural world

During a visit to BelOrta, an experienced company guide explains how the auction system works. Visitors can watch the sales process at the auction clocks. A group visit to BelOrta can be arranged for 15 to 25 people. This opportunity adds insight into the practical sales process to the understanding of vegetables and horticulture. It may therefore be particularly interesting for a jointly organised travel group.

Choosing the right accommodation for your plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on. Culture enthusiasts can consider the Ursuline Winter Garden, 't Grom and the historic features of Domein Roosendael. For active days, there are the 10-kilometre Roosendaelpad, the Roosendael Boardwalk and the 34-kilometre Groentepad. Those wishing to observe nature can mark the Hondsbossen or the area of the Abdij van Rozendaal as important destinations.

Other destinations for orientation

If you would like to continue planning your trip beyond Sint-Katelijne-Waver, you can also view the pages for Beerse, Malle, Weelde, Kontich, Duffel, Rijkevorsel, Eindhout and Schoten.

To the overarching travel overview: Province of Antwerp.