Holiday apartment in Steensel: Tower, Mill and Festivals

Steensel is considered one of the typical Kempen villages of the Acht Zaligheden and is also known by the nickname “Pieregat”. A holiday apartment in Steensel is ideal for a trip that combines historical discoveries, trails and local festivals. The village brings together striking remnants from different eras with a regional culture of events.

Tower and bell as historical landmarks

The Toren van St. Lucia is a medieval tower built at the end of the 14th century. It is the last surviving remnant of Steensel’s old church. The Toren van St. Lucia offers views across the Kempen and of the Eindhoven skyline. The tower can be climbed by prior arrangement. The history of the village also includes the Luciaklok: it dates from 1495 and is one of the oldest church bells in the Kempen.

Holiday apartment in Steensel between archaeology and mill history

The surrounding area also brings early history within reach. De Heiblom is a listed archaeological site with burial mounds from the Bronze Age and an urnfield from the Iron Age. Bussereind/Gendersteijn is also a listed archaeological site; it contains an early Bronze Age burial mound.

The Stevertse watermolen is located in the hamlet of Stevert, which belongs to Steensel in the municipality of Eersel. The water wheel and milling mechanism have been preserved. From the bridge, the mill can be viewed as a technical installation; it once used the power of the Run to mill grain. Its history can be traced back to 1349 and 1350.

Cycling and hiking trails with different distances

Various route ideas are available for active days. The 33-kilometre Monumentenroute includes the Toren van St. Lucia. The 21-kilometre Pelgrimspad Middelbeers–Steensel hiking trail ends in Steensel. In addition, the Toren van St. Lucia is located on the “Gloeiige” cycling route between junctions 06 and 61. The different route lengths help you tailor your travel plans to your preferred pace and interests.

Festivals and local history

Festivals add another dimension to the course of the year. The fair in Steensel runs from the Saturday before the second Sunday in August until the following Tuesday. This year, the Dikke Banden Race for children from Steensel will take place before the official cycling tour on the Monday of the fair. On Easter Sunday, 28 March 2027, the 47th Kempensessie festival will take place in Steensel.

The Bende van Steensel adds a darker historical note. It consisted of five men who terrorised the villages around Steensel with violent nighttime break-ins at the beginning of the 19th century. When choosing a holiday apartment in Steensel, this creates a varied character for the village: you can combine culture and history, cycling or hiking days, and a suitable festival date.

Discover more places

For further orientation in the region, you can also include Vessem and Eersel in your travel plans.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Eersel.