Boortmeerbeek

Rural Boortmeerbeek is situated along the Mechelen–Leuven axis in the “Brabantse Kempen”. The village can be proud of its beautiful pastureland, criss–crossed by the murmuring Dijle, Molenbeek and Leibeek. Forests and lots of green areas underline the quiet atmosphere of this village. One can follow a ‘nature learning’ path through these areas.

The names Boortmeerbeek and Hever can be found since a long time on maps, but nothing significant happened over there. In 1914, a big fire ravaged Boortmeerbeek. The late–gothic church, two windmills and 103 houses were devoured by the flames. As a result, Boortmeerbeek’s architecture turns out to be rather young. The local church Saint–Anthony and the town hall, actually used as police office, date from 1923 – 1924. The administrative centre was built in 1987. The watermill and the miller’s house (1404), along the Molenbeek, lie tucked-away in the town centre and were protected as monuments on the 14^th of June 1991. This “mill Servaes” is evidence of the familial traditional activity of different generations. The mill was to be put into working order again but those plans couldn’t be realised for now. Right now, the local conservancy board Heemkring Ravensteyn Boortmeerbeek has its accommodation in the mill.

The malt house in the town centre is of world–wide repute and proves, together with the Haacht Brewery, located at Boortmeerbeek, the rich brewery tradition of the village. The Haacht Brewery has exchange quotations on the Brussels stock exchange and is the third largest brewery in Belgium. The brewery has its very own website: www.primus.be/

The original late–gothic church “O.L.-Vrouwekerk” was also destroyed by fire. After the fire of 1852 this house of prayer was reconstructed in the neo–classical style. The choir still shows the original style, existing out of sandstone and fitted with simple lancets. The church organ was classified.

Hidden in nature and completely surrounded by a moat, just outside the town centre, lies the presbytery, which dates from 1637. This protected monument was completely restored in 1992. It serves since the 6th of September 1996 as a cultural building, “de oude pastorie” (“the old presbytery”).

The St.-Jozef farm at the border with the village Kampenhout, dates from the 17^th century. It is one of the properties of the benevolence office in Mechelen. The OCMW from Mechelen still owns the place, but concedes this complete original farm with moat to a local farmer.

The hamlet Schiplaken came into being in about 1753. Besides the in 1919 rebuilt church, the fine “Terlinden castle” is a nice place of interest for walkers. In 1914, this hamlet was the battlefield for “the battle of Schiplaken”. This battle is still commemorated every last weekend of august. During the liberation of Europe in WW II, American troops installed an important base in Schiplaken.

Municipal services

Municipal:	Secretariat	tel	015 51.11.45	Open All week-days 9-12 Wednesd also 13-16 Monday also 19-20
	Population	tel	015 51.82.30
	Registration service	tel	015 51.82.38
	Technical service	tel	015 51.82.04
	Sport hall	tel	015 51.27.63
Local police:	Central office Haacht	tel	016 60.88.12	Monday till Friday 8-12 and 13-19
	District office Boortmeerbeek	tel	015 51.35.74	Monday 15-20 Tuesday 9-12 Wednesday 14-17 Thursday 9-12 Friday 9-12

Only in cases of very urgent calls for “Police assistance” tel 101

Only in cases of very urgent calls for “Medical assistance” tel 100

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