The best traffic-free bike rides around Merksplas

For a nice coffee break

De Loteling is nestled in the wooded Zoersel district and offers an oasis of peace and relaxation for those seeking it. Be aware that it can get quite busy here.

More information about this historic farm and the link with Hendrik Conscience and his novel "De Loteling": https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_loteling

A silent witness to the history of the Wortel Colony. This former prison recalls the strictly regulated living and working conditions of the colony, where the poor and vagrants were housed and forced into labor. Stroll past this historic building and experience the special atmosphere of a place that once shaped the daily lives of many.

Wortel-Kolonie Vagrants' Cemetery This historic cemetery, nestled in the woods of Wortel-Kolonie, commemorates the vagrants who stayed here between 1890 and 1940. Approximately 170 graves are numbered, some with names, and tell the story of the former charitable colony. A quiet, impressive place steeped in history and remembrance.

The town hall is an example of civil, late Gothic architecture in brick and sandstone. When the withdrawing German troops dynamited St. Catherine's Tower on October 23, 1944, the town hall was also almost completely destroyed. After the war, this monument was meticulously rebuilt. In 1525, a meeting between Count Antoon de Lalaing and the residents of the Freedom of Hoogstraten decided to build a town hall. The count decided to finance the new town hall himself, as the city's citizens were already helping to bear the heavy burden of building a new choir. The late Gothic town hall was built between 1530 and 1534 to a design by Rombout II Keldermans. He was a master architect from Mechelen and a member of one of the most important master architect families of the Brabant Gothic period. Rombout II Keldermans, like his father, was Mechelen's city architect. Moreover, he rose to become master architect to the Dukes of Brabant and was even appointed personal architect to Emperor Charles V, who ennobled him in 1516. The master builder from Mechelen worked in Hoogstraten until his death in 1531. Afterward, work on the town hall continued under the direction of Hendrik Lambrechts and Antoon II Keldermans. The original town hall housed a concierge's lodge, a butcher's office, a secretariat, a council chamber, an archive storage room, and a two-part militia hall for the guilds. Today, the VisitHoogstraten office is located in the town hall. Source: www.visithoogstraten.be

Between the villas and the trees

This impressive church was built between 1524 and 1546 by order of Count Antoon de Lalaing and Countess Elisabeth van Culemborg. The plan was by Rombout Keldermans, one of the architects of Antwerp Cathedral. The church, with its 104.70-meter-high tower, is 80 meters long and is often called the "triumph of bricks." It is not without reason that it is one of the tallest brick buildings in the world. Discover St. Catherine's Church St. Catherine's Church stands out as an indispensable beacon on the horizon and has shaped the socio-cultural life of the surrounding area for centuries. The church houses a wealth of ecclesiastical and historical treasures. Its history is largely the history of Hoogstraten. As you stroll through the church, you'll see the lords, counts, and dukes of Hoogstraten pass by in the beautiful stained-glass windows and the unique funerary heritage. Let us take you through its history and its many art treasures. Discover St. Catherine's Church St. Catherine's Church stands out like an indispensable beacon on the horizon and has shaped the socio-cultural life of the surrounding area for centuries. The church houses a wealth of ecclesiastical and historical treasures. Its history is largely the history of Hoogstraten. As you stroll through the church, you'll see the lords, counts, and dukes of Hoogstraten pass by in the beautiful stained-glass windows and the unique funerary heritage. Let us take you on a journey through its history and its many art treasures.