The best traffic-free bike rides around Nieuwerkerken

Rust en picknickplaats langs de Grotestraat

The castle of the lords of Kozen is located on the spot where three municipalities meet: Kozen, Wijer and Stevoort. Strictly speaking, the castle is on the territory of Wijer, the farm is in Kozen and the barn in Stevoort. Previously, avenues connected the castle site with these three villages. The oldest known lords of Kozen belong to the van Wesemael family, who lived in the fourteenth century. Around 1400, the lordship and the castle belonged to the de Diest family, and in the seventeenth century, the de Kerckhem family ruled here. Above one of the gates, a stone can be seen, on which the family coat of arms is shown twice. It dates from the time when Arnold de Kerckhem and his wife Annemarie de Kerckhem, who was also his niece, lived here. Still in the seventeenth century, the castle belonged for a time to the land commander of Alden Biesen. From 1699, the van Afferden family acquired the domain. They are the last lords of Kozen. At the end of the nineteenth century, the castle was owned by a certain Jacquelart. He rebuilt the castle and gave it its current appearance.

Beautiful chapel where you can press your pause button for a moment.

The "Moeder Lambik" inn, dating from the mid-19th century, was an annex to Nieuwenhoven Castle. It was built in the same picturesque rural style as the forester's house. This inn is located on the road between Melveren and an old crossroads. During the Ancien Régime, the main entrance to Nieuwenhoven Castle was located along this road. Built in 1843 under owner Jacques Travers (registered in the land registry in 1848). Its original function is unknown; it may have also been a staff residence for the castle. The building was registered in the land registry as a "house." The date of the gnarled tree trunks is unclear. It was likely built shortly after its construction under Baron Charles Whettnall or in the last quarter of the 19th century. An old photograph dated between 1880 and 1885 shows a hunting party gathered around the forester's house. Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/300713 The former Moeder Lambik, once a popular inn and dance café, is part of the heritage inventory of the city of Sint-Truiden. This means that the authentic elements will be preserved and the building's unique charm will be preserved. Want to know more? Click through to the source: https://myhome4you.be/project/melveren-moeder-lambik/

Slow down and enjoy. In some areas, the reeds have been cut, and you have a beautiful view of Het Vinne.

A literal highlight in Het Vinne. Want to stay informed about the happenings in and around Het Vinne? Climb the tower and enjoy the beautiful views. Each season has different protagonists, and it's up to you to recognize them.

Memorial for Deportees. This memorial was dedicated to the mother of Simon Gronowski, a lawyer and humanist. She placed her son, then 11 years old, a little further up the steps of the train car. His jump was the stepping stone to freedom and life. She continued her journey with her daughter until their deaths in the gas chambers of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Historical interpretation of the major event: The 20th (XXth) train convoy took place in April 1943. The transport consisted of 1,630 Jewish prisoners from Camp Mechelen in Belgium. They were being transported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Three young Belgian men forced the transport between Boortmeerbeek and Haacht to stop. 231 deportees managed to escape, of whom 115 remained on the run, 90 were recaptured, and 26 were shot during their escape. This was the largest operation to rescue Jews from a train to Auschwitz.

One of the many places from which you can see the Vinne, and given the position of the highlight, I presume it's from one of the smaller access roads to the area from the road, and at the end of it, a bench from which you can view the lake if the reeds aren't too high.