Boekenbergpark

We walk back into the Boekenbergpark via Heirmanstraat. “This park was originally a pleasure garden for a wealthy family, but in the early 20th century it became too expensive to maintain. A city commission advised the then-independent municipality of Deurne to buy it in order to preserve the green belt around the city.”

Thus, Deurne purchased ten hectares from developer François Thoen in 1914, who had in turn acquired the estate from geologist Paul Cogels, the fourth lord of the Boekenberg castle. “The remaining twenty hectares have been subdivided.”

On the way, we pass by Boekenberg castle, which was struck by a severe fire this summer. “The first report dates back to the sixteenth century. In 1751, it was rebuilt at the behest of Maria Knyff, the daughter of Mayor Jacobus Knyff.”

After serving as a children's home, luxury hotel, school, and Center for Special Youth Care, it has been converted into a co-housing project since 2019. Due to the fire, it has suffered severe damage.

In the former mirror pond of the castle, you can now swim in the ecological swimming pond.

GVA - Gazet van Antwerpen