Machelen

Machelen combines protected Gothic buildings, historic farmsteads, distinctive park landscapes and paths for walks or cycling tours. Those wishing to plan a trip combining cultural discoveries and physical activity will find various options here for structuring their day. When searching for a holiday apartment in Machelen, you can therefore consider whether your trip should focus more on monuments, hikes, regional traditions or a mix of these themes.

Gothic Monuments and Historic Buildings

The townscape is shaped, among other things, by the Church of Saint Gertrude, which has been protected as a Gothic monument since 1937. Kasteel Beaulieu also holds a special historical designation: the central hall, known as the Hercules Hall, was protected as a monument by Royal Decree of 3 June 1950.

The Parish Church of Saint Catherine and Saint Cornelius is a longitudinal cross church in Brabant Gothic style and was protected as a monument by Royal Decree of 25 March 1938. According to different sources, the present building dates approximately from the period between 1400 and 1543. For travellers interested in culture, this creates a townscape in which architectural form, historical context and regional church history come together.

Other notable examples include the entrance castle of the Margapaviljoen, which has been protected as a monument since 20 February 1939, and the Melkhuis Donjon. This is an L-shaped single-storey complex with gabled roofs and a square corner tower with three storeys, equipped with battlements. The building is situated in a park with a pond. The Hoeve van Nijpezeel met Duivenmolen also offers historic details: remains of a closed farmstead with a water mill and construction phases dating from the 17th to the 20th century have been preserved. The oldest documented mention of the mill dates from around 1400.

Beaulieu Park, Hiking Route and Tour Elentrik

The remains of Kasteel Beaulieu Park lie along the lower reaches of the Woluwe and on the eastern edge of the Zenne Valley. The remains of Beaulieu Park are surrounded by a landscape park with a serpentine pond, the so-called “river”, and clearly defined sightlines between groups of trees and shrubs. This landscape complements the historic buildings with a quieter, visually distinctive side of the destination.

The Beaulieu Walking Trail starts at the Dorpsplein by the Church of Saint Gertrude. It is a recognised provincial hiking route from the hiking guide “29 wandelingen in de Brabantse Kouters” and is listed as “+11 km”.

Another way to explore Machelen is offered by Tour Elentrik. As part of the project, 20 utility boxes in Machelen and Diegem were artistically designed. Tour Elentrik was implemented by the Municipality of Machelen in cooperation with Treepack and can be explored on foot or by bicycle using route maps. This makes it possible to combine an active excursion with contemporary design in public spaces.

Regional Traditions and Travel Planning

The Junikermis in Machelen includes a Saint Gertrude procession and a braderie. Machelen also carries the “Straffe Streek Gemeente” label and actively supports regional products from Flemish Brabant. This combination of festive tradition and regional focus complements the view of churches, parks and historic buildings.

One day can be devoted to the historic buildings, and another to the Beaulieu Walking Trail or the route maps for Tour Elentrik. For families, it makes sense to adapt the selection to the age, interests and stamina of the individual travellers rather than trying to fit all the options into a fixed programme. This way, the holiday apartment remains a starting point for an individually tailored stay, without requiring specific amenities or distances.

For a broader search, you can also consider Halle, Ramillies, Tervuren, Boutersem, Keerbergen, Boortmeerbeek and Drogenbos.

To the overarching travel overview: Brabant.