The Colonies of Wortel and Merksplas

Just across the Belgian border are two areas with a special story. If you don't know any better, you'll think you're on a luxury estate. During this walk, however, you'll walk across the land that was once home to vagabonds and vagrants.

Orderly landscape

In the colonies you walk through a painting by Mondrian. A landscape with straight lines, a geometric mosaic. The straight avenues are softened by the green of mighty oaks. The trees border a grid of fields, rough grassland and poppy fields. There is a deep peace, you only hear the chirping of the birds.

Colonies of Benevolence

The beautiful green landscape is due to the Colonies of Benevolence, founded in the nineteenth century. Until 1993, the law on vagrancy was used in Belgium to combat poverty. Anyone who went out on the streets without enough money for a loaf of bread could be sent to Merksplas or Wortel. At certain times, there were six thousand paupers in these impressive buildings. Their main occupation was agriculture. In addition, furniture and cloth were made in the workhouses and charcoal was used. Spread across the site are prison guard houses and detached villas of the higher management, all designed in the same austere style.

World Heritage

Despite high expectations, few people successfully returned to 'normal' society. In 2018, exactly two hundred years after the foundation of the first Colony, the seven Dutch and Belgian Colonies with their typical cultural landscape will probably become UNESCO World Heritage. In Merksplas you will find the prison museum, visitor center and a brasserie. Download the Colony App for your walk.

Copyright photos: Mie De Backer and Raf Ketelslagers (Kempens Landschap)