The best traffic-free bike rides around Zoersel

reminder of the war of yesteryear

History The chapel was erected in 1626. At that time, the region was plagued by a pest epidemic. Legend has it that about 60 inhabitants of Oostmalle fled the village with the disease to the heath at Zalfen. Adriaan Mattheeusen, an inhabitant of Zalfen, who lost some of his children to the epidemic, was obliged to bury them in the heath and erected a chapel in their memory. Soon, the chapel served for funeral services, and the dead were buried in the adjacent cemetery. The chapel soon became an attraction for pilgrims. For this reason, it was enlarged in 1726 to its current appearance (see upper part in the side gable dated by means of sintered stone). The chapel is depicted on Ferraris' cabinet map (1770-1778) on a triangular plot of heath. A loop of tall trees surrounds the chapel. On Vandermaelen's map (1846-1854), the chapel is located south of the Salphen road, amidst a triangular forest plot. Description The Sint-Antonius chapel of Salphen is located south of the Salphen road, an old avenue of predominantly tall English oaks (Quercus robur), and is surrounded by tall trees (mainly Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris). It is an oriented brick chapel with a three-sided closed west facade and a lower rectangular choir under slate gable roofs (ridge parallel to the street) with a bell tower. On the east side, there are two tuit-gables on shoulder pieces with crenellations. On the north side, there are rectangular windows and a basket-arch door and a basket-arch door. The plastered and painted interior has a wooden frame with a tie beam. The furniture includes an altar from the 19th century and a painted wooden statue of Saint Anthony Abbot (late 15th or early 16th century).

Beautiful avenue with a cycle and walking path; the avenue leads towards the abbey.

Beautiful walking and cycling path through an avenue.

The St. Anthony's Chapel is a chapel in the hamlet of Zalfen, located near Salphen, which is part of the Antwerp municipality of Malle. Nearby Oostmalle was hit by a plague epidemic around 1625. Around 60 sick people reportedly fled to the heath. A certain Adriaan Mattheeusen, who lost three children to the disease, had to bury them on the heath and built a chapel for this purpose. This chapel was soon also used for funeral services, and the deceased were buried in a nearby cemetery. The chapel attracted pilgrims and was therefore expanded in 1726. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Antoniuskapel_(Zalfen)

Misname: This is Fort 's-Gravenwezel and is located near Schildestrand. Not much remains of the original buildings at Fort 's-Gravenwezel. The area is now the Schildestrand recreational area. Cyclists can explore the fort along with Fort Oelegem and Fort Kessel via the "Antitankgracht en heide" (Anti-tank ditch and heathland) route, or you can create your own route using the cycling junctions. Fort 's-Gravenwezel is located at junction 30. You can take a walk near the fort on foot using the walking junctions. The fort is located at junction 91 of the "Kempense Hoven" network. From here, you can enjoy beautiful walks along the numerous castle grounds.

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