The best traffic-free bike rides around Borsbeek

The historical fact in detail: between 1859 and 1864, the monumental Brialmont rampart was built around Antwerp, named after the military engineer Henri Alexis Brialmont. It was a kilometers-long defensive belt of brick walls, deep moats, and earth ramparts. When the rampart lost its military purpose in the early 20th century, it was largely demolished to make way for the Antwerp Ring and the Singel. However, the Brilschans—the fortification that lay exactly at this spot—was never completely leveled. During the recent renovation of the park, the historical topography has been restored: the undulations in the lawn you see in your photo follow the exact lines of the former military earth ramparts. The park pond located a little further away is, in fact, the preserved historical defensive moat.

The inner fort of Fort 3 Borsbeek consists of two semicircles of different diameters (approximately 90 and 60 meters), placed with their bases touching. The larger semicircle, the "head," faces the enemy, while the smaller, the "tail," faces away. A courtyard is located at the center. Troop rooms, storage areas, and a kitchen are located on the ground and first floors of the inner fort. A battery, integrated into the "tail," was built on the second floor to defend the entrance to the inner fort in case of emergency. The "head" at that level is covered with earth and planted with plants. A dry moat, a road that runs entirely around the inner fort and can be closed off at various points, encircles the inner fort. This dry moat served to bring any attackers within range of the defenders' fire. The moat is formed by a counter-escapatory (a wide earthen rampart with defenders' quarters fitted with loopholes). In front of the main front is a central caponier which, together with two half side caponiers, defends the front part of the moat with mounted cannons.

Good connection between Antwerp Airport, Boechout and Lier

The Brilschanspark landscaped park was built on the site of one of the redoubts of the Great Wall. A lunette, a V-shaped building, stood separate from the fortifications. This lunette gave the current park its name: lunettes is the French word for spectacles. To protect the fortress, it was surrounded by a moat. The moat was never filled in and still forms the V-shaped pond in the park. The fortress building itself was demolished to build Berchem's town hall. However, this plan was never realized, and in 1963 it was decided to create a municipal park there. At the center of the park is a hill beneath which lie the remains of the redoubt. The park features a large playground and an extensive path network along which you can explore the park. Source: https://www.antwerpen.be/info/brilschanspark

Herberg De Exter is probably the oldest inn in Deurne, dating back to a brewery. The courtyard, with its old candelabra-shaped lime trees, is partially hedged. Source: Heritage Inventory

One of the green oases in the Borgerhout district, on the border with Deurne, is Boelaarpark: a true paradise for walking and playing. It covers 16 hectares. Its charming name immediately describes it: "boe" comes from beech and "laar" means a clearing in the forest. It was one of the many "courts of pleasure" around Antwerp's city center that wealthy residents used as playgrounds for outdoor recreation. Want to know more? Historical information, etc. Click through to https://www.natuurgidsen-antwerpen.be/wandelgebieden/borgerhout-te-boelaerpark/

The F11 is easy to cycle at this point and in other sections.

Beautiful statue that may inspire you to perform rhythmic movements. Don't stand still, but let yourself go.