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Address and directions

Wortel-Colony

Vagrants farm and visitor centre De Klapekster

Kolonie 41
2323 Wortel (Hoogstraten)

Here’s where you’ll find the youth residence centre De Bonte Beestenboel and the visitor

Fancy an evening stroll? Or would you rather explore Colony 5-7 early in the morning? It’s possible! The beautiful landscape of Wortel and Merksplas Colony is always accessible to visitors. For the opening hours of the visitor centre and other faci

Facilities

Parking

At Visitor Centre Colony 5-7 in Merksplas

There is a free car park between the Landloperskapel and Grote Hoeve. For the mobility impaired, there are several parking places provided close to the entrance.

Kapelstraat 10, 2330 Merkspla

Visitor centre Colony 5-7

Get acquainted with Colony 5-7 here! The visitor centre tells the story of Wortel and Merksplas Colony. Walk at your own pace through the former swinery of Grote Hoeve in Merksplas. View the animated film about the creation of the Colonies of Benevol

Brasserie De Kolonie

Culinary enjoyment in the heart of Merksplas Colony? It’s possible at the brasserie De Kolonie! After thorough restoration, the protected stable of Grote Hoeve was given a new lease on life as a brasserie. From the establish

Vagrants’ farm

At the intersection of the four buildings is the historical vagrants’ farm. The farm was built after the Belgian state took over the two colonies in 1870. Different wings open onto a courtyard. The vagrants’ farm is property of the non-profit Kem

Wortel Cemetery

Visit this silent witness of Wortel Colony's vagrant past. The vagrants received a number when they arrived in the Colony. The white crosses of the vagrants’ cemetery bear leaden plates, usually with just a number and no name.

Central crossroads

This is the heart of Wortel Colony where the two main alleys cross. Originally there were four buildings, which is why the crossroads were called 'Quatre Bâtiments'.

Vagrants' farm

At the central crossroads of the four buildings, you can

Bootjesven

Enjoy a cozy picnic at Bootjesven (Boating lake)! This naturally occurring fen was deepened by peat extraction. Now it's a quiet place where nature has regained the upper hand.

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