Tervuren offers several distinct cultural experiences: the park brings landscape and architectural heritage together, the Geographical Arboretum combines a historic design with tree species from around the world, and the AfricaMuseum has its own architectural history. When planning your stay, you can choose your focus based on whether you are more interested in historic sites, botanical diversity or museum architecture.
Park van Tervuren: Landscape and History
The Park van Tervuren was once the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant. Today, it is an elegant 205-hectare park for strolling. The remains of the ducal palace are in the park. The Baroque Sint-Hubertus Chapel, dating from 1617, is also located there. As you explore the park, you will encounter both its role today as a place for strolling and traces of its ducal past.
On 26 October 1993, the Watermolen van Gordaal, also known as the Spaans Huis, was designated a protected monument. It is located in the Park van Tervuren, which is itself protected as a monument and landscape. The Gordaalmolen, also known as the Spaans Huis, was originally a compulsory mill belonging to the Dukes of Brabant. Its present appearance is the result of alterations made in 1533. Its former function and later structural changes offer two distinct historical points of interest at this site.
Geographical Arboretum: Design and Tree Species
The Geographical Arboretum of Tervuren was established in 1902 on land belonging to King Leopold II. Professor Charles Bommer designed the original garden plan. It has been preserved despite more than a century of expansion and renewal. The arboretum’s history thus brings together a named historic design and a long period of ongoing development.
The Koninklijke wandeling passes several points of interest in the arboretum and takes visitors on a journey around the world through 700 different tree species. Highlights include sequoias from the west coast of North America and araucarias from the Andes. These two examples represent different regions of the world and give the route a distinct botanical perspective.
AfricaMuseum and Visitor Information
After years of renovation, the AfricaMuseum reopened to the public on 9 December 2018. Visitors enter the museum through a new reception pavilion, which is connected to the former museum building by an underground gallery.
Bezoekerscentrum De Warandepoort is located on the market square in Tervuren. This interactive visitor centre provides information for visits to Tervuren, the Zoniënwoud and Zuid-Dijleland. The centre’s offering may change, so check in advance if you plan to rely on it.
At Wijndomein Pot de Vin, tastings are available at the estate by appointment only. You will therefore need to make an appointment if you plan to attend a tasting.
Discover more destinations: Roosdaal, Kortenberg, Affligem, Ternat, Villers-La-Ville, Lillois-Witterzée, Jodoigne, Corbais.
Go to the overview of the region: Brabant.
