Attractions and Places To See in Demervallei Tussen Aarschot En Diest - Top 20

This is an undershot mill. The water flows under the wheel. This type of mill is used in watercourses with a small drop (difference in height between the beginning and end of the river) such as the Demer. The water is dammed up in front of the wheel. When the miller starts grinding, he raises the weir at the bottom a little. In this way, the water is pushed under the wheel with force and set in motion. The wheel in turn sets the mill's grinding mechanism in motion and the grain is ground. (Information brochure walk Met de Witte through Zichem)

Around the monumental Maiden's Tower, a natural amphitheater has been constructed as a meeting and event location in the railway embankment. It is also very popular as a picnic area. The area around the tower has been partly raised for events and partly excavated for water storage and nature. Information boards have been incorporated into a picnic bench and built on stone walls from fragments of the collapsed Maiden's Tower. (Public Space Database)

Usually when people talk about the Demerbroeken, they mean the 'Vierkensbroek' and the 'Voortberg'. Messelbroek is part of the Demerbroeken, south of the Demer. It is located behind the church of Messelbroek and mainly includes 'De Baggert' and 'De Keet'. There are currently no signposted hiking trails here, but we are working hard on that. Natuur en Bos is working with Natuurpunt on the development of an extensive nature reserve in the Demerbroeken. For example, Natuurpunt manages the Vierkensbroek, between Averbode and De Hulpe. The management of the Kloosterbeemden and the Molenstedebroek are in the hands of Nature and Forest. The management of the area is aimed at creating extensive reed thickets, alternating with more species-rich hay meadows and native deciduous forest. Natuurpunt Scherpenheuvel-Zichem: https://demerbroeken.be/ Nature and Forest Agency: https://www.natuurenbos.be/demerbroeken

In every direction, wherever you look, you always go to the right place, to discover the more beautiful...

In the Middle Ages, Zichem was on the border that separated the Duchy of Brabant from the County of Loon. To protect this dividing line, a border tower was built on the bank of the Demer. At the base of the tower, the walls are more than four meters thick. This giant was not just a noble status symbol, but a real castle tower. The Maiden's Tower became a protected monument in 1962.

Beautiful but swampy area

A little past the watermill you will see on your left a reminder of a second watermill that Zichem once had. The one you pass now and serves as a GP practice is called the "Grote Molen". The other was indeed called the Kleine Molen and was located on the Oude Demer (see image in the photos). You will come across the still existing "large" water mill if you follow the walk "Met de Witte door Zichem" (start and end at the station).

Ideal starting point for a walk to the nearby Voortberg (follow Bergstraat) from where you have a beautiful view of the village and the distant surroundings. From there you can go to De Demerbroeken (as close or far as you want) and back via a different route (see the information board in the photos that is located near the water mill). Heritage info: Water mill, formerly owned by the abbey of Averbode. Longitudinal building with heavy substructure of iron sandstone in regular bond. Front facade with a wide, profiled sandstone basket arch door under a facing stone with abbot coat of arms, slogan NE QUID NIMIS and the year 1618. North side facade, dated 1608 in the top by means of darker brick. South facade, along the Demer, of ironstone, brick and sandstone, partly covered in layers of bacon: possibly reused elements of the older core (15th-16th century), which was partly destroyed circa 1594. Well-preserved mill wheel. Complete restoration circa 1960. Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/42766