Provincial Domain Nieuwenhoven

The Provincial Domain Nieuwenhoven is a forest area managed by the province of Limburg, located in the municipalities of Sint-Truiden and Nieuwerkerken. A nearby place is Kortenbos. The domain spans 161 hectares, making it the largest contiguous public forest area in Haspengouw.

This domain is a remnant of the former Brudelholtwoud. Clearings took place after a large portion of the forest land was donated by Countess Bertha of Valenciennes to the Abbey of Sint-Truiden in the year 976. This established a farmstead here. The monks altered the Kelsbeek river and created fish ponds. Later, the Castle of Nieuwenhoven was built, which initially served as a summer residence for the abbot of the Abbey of Sint-Truiden. In 1330, the farm was fortified into a castle. In 1795, the abbeys were expropriated by the French occupiers. Since then, a noble family has lived in the castle. The residents of this castle used the forest as an estate, which is why it was preserved. It was known by the name Galgenbos.

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