The best cycling routes around Oud-Turnhout

Street art adds a touch of color to your walk. These colorful works are part of the "Pimp the Village 2023" Street Art Festival. Other works can be found at https://arendonk.be/in-beeld/pimp-het-dorp-2023

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

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.

You can also start the tour from here. Good parking in the forest.

Chapel from around 1880, designed by E. Pelgrims, restored in 1980. Built by order of the owner of the ducal farm (1772), which was destroyed in 1942. The current farm dates from 1945. Single-nave neo-Gothic chapel of one bay with choir of one straight bay and three-sided closure, preceded by a lower, openwork portal; slate saddle roofs (ridge perpendicular to and parallel to the street). Pointed and list facades of brick and bluestone, the former with a roof on shoulder pieces, cross or top decoration, the latter with dentil molding; ornamental anchors; articulated corner buttresses. Bluestone facade plate with inscription: "Come to me, all you who are burdened and heavy laden, for I will refresh you". Single and coupled pointed arch wall openings and oculi in profiled brick frame. Wooden door with ornate wrought iron fittings. Interior: vaulting with wooden cross, barrel and beam vaults, brick walls, black marble floor. Wrought iron choir screen; simple altar top on polychrome wooden pillar; choir apse with niche containing polychrome Sacred Heart statue.

This is a popular place to stop for ice cream. One of the best in the area!

Lots of choice and variety: classics and surprising flavours. In addition, homemade "frisco's", ice cream cakes, pralines etc. Lots of space to replenish your burnt sugars.

The old bridge keeper's house is now a bike café. It is the ideal location to take a break and enjoy the peaceful green surroundings at the water's edge. The adjacent tent meadow is happy to welcome backpackers and campers to pitch their tents.