The Stone House, more than the oldest house in Tielt-Winge

This former fence, dated 1648, is located on the hamlet of Heuvel, along the old Leuvensebaan. As the name suggests, the Stone House was probably one of the first stone houses in the region. Its location along the former old Leuvensebaan, between Leuven and Diest, made it an attractive location for a shelter. However, there was certainly an earlier building: at least from 1609 onwards, the alderman's college met here on the spot 'int leeuken', a name that would also live on in the 18th century as the 'leeuwkenshof'.

On a tithe map of 1717, the Stone House is represented as a moat complex with a house, four outbuildings and a well with leverage. The property is built in traditional baking and sandstone style with limited use of natural stone. Take a look at the windows: above the window you can see two relief arches with an overarching arch above them. This less common stool system is illustrative of the more spacious and wealthy 17th-century rural home.

For years, the owner has been striving to restore the building as originally as possible. At the end of 2018, the restoration of the surrounding landscape started. In collaboration with Regionaal Landschap Noord-Hageland and the Nationale Boomgaardenstichting, 70 acres of orchard were replanted. Old maps show that the Stone House used to be surrounded by standard orchards. Therefore, 38 tall stems were planted with local varieties of apples, pears, plums, peaches, quinces, walnuts, cherries and cherries. The acreage was surrounded by 300 meters of hawthorn hedge.

It is therefore not surprising that the owner is committed to restoring and conserving the movable and immovable heritage and restoring the cultural-historical landscape around the villagescape. With numerous activities he wants to increase support for heritage among the general public through lectures, walks and courses. Successful are the training in hedges, braiding, knotting trees and mowing. He also has source material and documentation about Tielt-Winge.

Before the restoration of the protected building was thought of, a building history and an archaeological investigation were carried out. The recovery file was approved at the end of 2022. We are curious how the old building will rise in its glory.

Jan Rymenams