Along fens and burial mounds - Ravel Mountains

Camp Ravels During the fifteen years of his reign, the Dutch King William I regularly visited the garrison town of Turnhout. This had to do with Ravel's camp, a military training ground that still bears this name in our municipality. William I came there for the first time on 12 July 1819. As always at such ceremonies, beer was served to the poor. Orange flags fluttered in the city and on the illuminated town hall was a ball where three musicians played under the direction of Thomas Handelhof. Two years later, at a new inspection, the king was again warmly received. He was accompanied by a large retinue, including his son, the Prince of Orange. In the evening a solemn ball was held at the town hall of Turnhout. In 1823 the king was in town again. On October 2 and 12, he attended exercises in the camp. There was a vegetable and potato market. The citizens of Ravels and Turnhout received, according to the mayor's statement of 14 September 1826, all protection and the certainty that unsold goods could be taken back home.