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Freestanding neo-Gothic church with a partially integrated west tower, designed by P.J. Taeymans, dating from 1872–1874, surrounding square. Source: Heritage Inventory

Idyllic spot to take a slower walk...

A Resting Place at the pond of Caron's Hofke is inviting to stay for a while. At the initiative of artist Pien Storm van Leeuwen, in collaboration with the neighbouring municipalities of Merksplas, 20 resting places were marked with a large boulder, with a poem on it that relates to that location. In Merksplas you will find two resting places: one at the source, and one in Carons Hofke. In Carons Hofke, at resting place 2, the poem is by Geert De Kockere. 'Invisibly slowly the stream finds its way through the landscape. The sun glistens in a mirror of water that a passer-by suddenly breaks. Shards bring water happiness.' Here too, it is beautiful how the natural mood is touched. Poetry to think about while you pause here for a moment.

Here lie the roots of Merksplas. Long before the Irish monks came to our country to convert the Old Belgians, there was a Sacred Forest in this region of Merksplas, called the “Looi”. The elevation between the current Melkerijloop and the Mark also formed a natural fortress for the Romans. The name “Burcht” – Motteburcht – dates from that time. In the early Middle Ages (5th to 10th century), the motte castle was still in use by the Lords of Merksplas.

Rest, enjoy the lawns along the waterfront and contemplate or just look at the clouds.

In the early Middle Ages (5th to 10th century), the motte castle was still in use by the Lords of Merksplas. A motte castle is an earthen mound with a wooden watchtower at the top to spot the enemy (the Normans) as early as possible. The Vikings were then lured into a swamp, the diffuse outflow delta of the Goorloop in the Mark. Pastor-father Van Asten was a man who knew how to tackle things. In 1680 he had major waterworks carried out. In addition to the (now old) fishpond, he also had a pike ditch dug. The level of these water features was regulated with a lock and a tree gutter. This technique is still used today. The rainwater from the public road flows into the ring ditch and the old pond. Via an overflow, the pike ditch is first supplied and then the new fishpond, which in turn discharges the excess water into the Goorloop. Triggered? Want to know more? Click through to https://www.marcblas.be/de-geschiedenis-van-carons-hofke-verteld/5-motteburcht-en-waterwerken

In this old avenue you should definitely look for the notches in the stately trees. Historical explanation: During the Second World War, Carons Hofke was occupied by a division of Italians in the German army. They used the wood to make horse stables, a blacksmith's, storage rooms for food and currency. The officers stayed in the 'Villa van Caron'. In several trees, notches from that period are still clearly visible, although they have grown together after more than 80 years. Were these scars made out of boredom or homesickness? On 30 September 1944, Merksplas was liberated by the First Polish Armoured Division. The Caron farms on the Hofeinde were set on fire. In this way, the German occupiers were driven out by the Polish liberators. There was also hand-to-hand fighting in the "Villa van Caron". Witnesses tell us that "blood ran down the stairs...". The notches in the trees are therefore 'exceptionally creative war scars'. It's up to you to find them.

Het Carons Hofke, a small site where the ‘story of Merksplas’ is made visual by information boards and QR codes. Get to know the impact of the past. Historical interpretation: Long before the Irish monks came to our country to convert the Old Belgians, there was a Sacred Forest in this region of Merksplas, called the "Looi". The elevation between the Goorloop and the Mark formed a natural fortress for the Lords of Merksplas. From 1155, the presbytery of the Norbertine fathers, called "het Hof", stood here in a beautiful environment. During the French Revolution, the church goods were seized and sold. The Caron family was the sixth owner after the sale by the French. In 1990, the municipality of Merksplas bought this estate. On 29 May 1994, this domain was officially put into use as a municipal park. Since 2001 the villa has been in use as the local history house "Villa ter Borcht".