Walking in the Hageland: Wijngaardberg walk
Wijngaardberg walk
Start
Start: Hageland wine visitor centre
We begin at the foot of Wijngaardberg. The Hageland wine visitor centre is located in the beautifully restored neo-Gothic old town hall. In the exhibition gallery, with a scale model, you learn more about the Wijngaardberg region and discover the origins of the hilly landscape. Choose a Hageland wine as a souvenir or taster.
Norbertine presbytery and St Martinus church
The path passes Wezemaal parish church, dedicated to Martinus from Tours, not surprisingly the patron saint of wine growing. Although it was built up over the centuries and renovated with different materials, the church remains harmonious. Opposite the church you'll see the beautifully preserved 17th-century Norbertine presbytery. It has a moat and a beautifully landscaped garden. Once the home of Norbertine monks, it is now a pastoral meeting place for the parishes of neighbouring Rotselaar.
Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Still need a breather before beginning the climb up Wijngaardberg? Then take a seat on the bench in the shade of the lime tree behind the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It stands in the middle of the path and was built in the early 19th century. This small roadside chapel, also called a chapel of devotion, is a symbolic resting place for passers-by.
Wine wall
Now, it's time for the climb. Not the notorious Wall in Gramont, where cyclists work up a sweat, but up along the gully that guides you to the top of the Wine Wall of Wezemaal. This unique stacked wall of ironstone stands on Wijngaardberg and is 1.7 metres wide, up to 2 metres tall and was once 1.5 km in length. It was built to protect the vines from the harsh north wind. Walk along it and feast your eyes, because wine walls are rare in Flanders.
Ironstone quarry
Here, on the southern flank of Wijngaardberg, we also see the ironstone quarry. Since the 15th century, this has provided the building material for St Martinus church. We saw this church earlier on our walk. Do you recognise the colours of the church walls?
Statue of the Sacred Heart
At the top of Wijngaardberg stands the Statue of the Sacred Heart. Dating back to the inter-war period, its hands extend protectively across the village of Wezemaal. Originally, a windmill stood here. During World War I, the Belgian army burned it down to prevent German troops from using it as a lookout. It was never rebuilt, except a scale model in the front garden of the miller's home at the foot of Wijngaardberg, which is a lovely, lasting memory of the long-lost mill.
Arrival: Brasserie Boeres
Our walk is finished. We top off our day in the former village pub at Brasserie Boeres. Some vol-au-vent, also known as the 'queen's favourite'? Or perhaps a casserole made with delicious Sint-Bernardus Abt beer? Or would you prefer some Wezemaal meatballs? In any case, you'll enjoy regional and typical Flemish dishes here!
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