The best MTB trails in Vallei Van De Kindernouwbeek

pleasant picnic area with brand new oak benches, both under cover and outdoors.

It's always worth taking a closer look...

Hof d'Intere is a Renaissance castle in Wechelderzande. It is located at Pastorijstraat 2 and dates back to 1649. The castle's name is older, dating from 1440, when Philip the Good granted the towns of Wechelderzande, Gierle, and Lille as a fief to Ambrosius van Dinther. The "laathof" (court) held its meetings in the local inn, which was called Hof d'Intere or Hof van Dynter, after the name Van Dinther. Later, this fief passed to Johan de Proost, lord of Wechelderzande. He built the current castle on the basis of an existing castle dating back to the 16th century. In 1686, it became the property of the pastor of Wechelderzande after Johan de Proost was forced to sell it. The house then served as a rectory from 1688 to 1964 and then as the town hall until 1977. This was when municipal reorganization took place, and since then it has been a municipal center with a library and park. In 1939, the building was classified as a protected monument. In 2019, it was announced that the library would be closed and that the municipality of Lille would reconsider the castle's future purpose.

Generations of castle lords and the village community have cared for the magnificent heritage we have today. We must cherish this legacy with care. Everyone has a responsibility in this regard: the government, the owners, and certainly also the visitors. We all want to safeguard this for future generations. VORSELAAR: Proposal to protect the castle "de Borrekens", the rectory, the immediate surroundings of the castle, and the linden avenue as a village landmark. The castle was built in the thirteenth century as a military fortification for the Duke of Brabant, granted as a fief to the Lord Van Rotselaer. The latter gave the fortification, which had the character of a moated castle, the ground plan that can still largely be seen today. Little is known about its evolution since the thirteenth century. The castle is depicted in a print by Ertinger in the second half of the seventeenth century and published by Jacques Le Roy. This shows that the current castle's core still largely reflects this condition. The building's military character was lost in the eighteenth century, and it was converted into a "house of pleasure." This involved the demolition of several surrounding walls and defensive towers, and the moat separating the forecourt from the castle was filled in. Simultaneously or shortly before, several embellishments were carried out on the castle, with J.P. van Baurscheit as the architect. The buildings in the forecourt were constructed during the same period. In the 1850s and 1860s, restoration work was carried out in keeping with the fashion of the time. Several dormers, stepped gables, fireplaces, turrets, and battlements were added in the Neo-Gothic style. The interior was also altered during this period and in the same style. Although this renovation significantly altered the castle's appearance, the renovation itself is remarkable as a testament to the Neo-Gothic style that emerged in our region around 1850.

On March 13, 1440, Philip the Good granted Wechelderzande, along with Gierle and Lille, as a fief to Ambrosius de Dynter. The court of justice, or the alderman's court, of the feudal lordship was therefore named Hof d'Intere. The court held its meetings in a village inn. The Hof d'Intere building was erected in 1649 by the lord of Wechelderzande, Jonker Jan de Proost or Johan de Proost. The newly built, impressive residence was named Hof d'Intere: partly because it was built on a plot of land that belonged to the fiefdom under the jurisdiction of the Hof d'Intere, and partly because Johan de Proost had acquired the rights to this fiefdom and was therefore entitled to use the title "Lord of Dynter." From 1686 to 1964, Hof d'Intere served as the parsonage of Wechelderzande. Later it served as the town hall of Wechelderzande until the merger in 1977. After that it was used for a while as the municipal council, reception, ceremony and wedding hall of the municipality.

The castle has been the pride of Vorselaar for centuries. Around 1270, the first stone was laid by the knights of Rotselaar. The ground plan has been largely preserved to this day. The castle houses a treasure trove of history and stories, and has been inhabited by noble families all this time.

Very beautiful medieval castle in the middle of a beautiful forest. A real relief to come here and walk undisturbed.

In 1940 a ‘Forest Cross’ was erected here, the crucified Christ as a watchman in the forest to remind the faithful passers-by of the sacrifice of Calvary. The place is known as ‘the Cross’.