Bladel offers a variety of points of interest for a stay: a striking natural monument, dated buildings, local stories and a modern work of art. There are also two clearly defined activities: a walk to the Heksenboom and back, and a longer bike ride through the history of Zwarte Kaat. This lets you combine nature and local history according to your own interests.
Natural monument and routes
The Heksenboom van Zwarte Kaat stands on Landgoed Ten Vorsel in Bladel. The tree is designated a natural monument, is almost 18 metres tall and has a crown spread of more than 20 metres. Its trunk circumference is over 3 metres. Height, crown spread and trunk circumference describe different aspects of its form and give a sense of the tree’s size.
At junction 02, cyclists can leave their bikes and take a six-kilometre walk to the Heksenboom and back. The stated distance therefore covers the entire round trip on foot. Another option is the 36-kilometre Zwarte Kaat Route, a bike ride through the fascinating history of Zwarte Kaat. The two distances refer to different activities and modes of travel. Check the current signs at the junction and the conditions of each route in advance.
Building history and local stories
The Witte Kerkje was built in 1820 as what is known as a Waterstaatskerk. The organ dates from 1825; the building and the organ therefore date from around the same period, but are distinct historical details. Other features of the church interior include a Huguenot cross in a niche on the left-hand wall. Together, the construction date, the organ and the cross in its precise location provide several concrete points of reference for the building’s history and furnishings.
’t Maggiblokje is a labourer’s cottage dating from 1850. It was restored in 1994 and is now a municipal monument. The sequence of its construction, later restoration and present-day monument status distinguishes the different phases of its history rather than reducing them to a single date.
Joseph Gindra had a manor house built in 1895, now known as Het Gindrahuis. From 1906, Victor de Buck rented part of the house. The person who commissioned the building and the later tenant therefore belong to different periods in the house’s history. Stories about Het Gindrahuis are still told in Bladel; it has also long been known as a “haunted house”. Here, the local name handed down over time sits alongside the dated details about the building.
De Steek offers a different focus: this modern work of art is located on Burgemeester van Houdtplein. The Broederschap van Prinsen donated it to the people of Bladel. Those interested in the municipality’s past and present can also find a local perspective at Heemkunde Pladella Villa, which focuses on both periods.
The distances provide a concrete guide when choosing an outing: a six-kilometre walk to the Heksenboom and back, or a 36-kilometre bike ride. The historic sites and stories add a different theme to these options, ranging from church architecture and a labourer’s cottage to local tales and modern art.
Discover more destinations: Hapert, Hoogeloon, Netersel.
Go to the main travel overview: Bladel.
