Bruul

In the Middle Ages, the city of Renaix was not surrounded by a defensive wall. However, it was marked to the North by a series of motte-and-bailey castles along the Molenbeek and Lozebeek, and by a ribbon of canals and hedges to the South. A 'motte' is a defensive work consisting of an artificial earth mound surrounded by a water-filled ditch. At the center stood a wooden residential tower several stories high. Another motte, called Lage Mote or Basse Cour, used to stand to your right, at the location where the municipal library is currently located.

The heart of the city is located in the Molenbeek valley, a tributary of the Ronne that flows into the Scheldt at Avelgem. Under the path, between the double row of wild horse chestnut trees, flows the Lozebeek.
Less than 100 years ago, the stream was still open. At that time, people used to go there to wash and bleach the sheets.

You are now in the Bruul' park. A bruul', or breuil, is a piece of land too marshy to be cultivated. Even today, during heavy rains, the park is completely flooded. The Bruul' park is primarily a popular meeting place. Concerts are regularly organized there during the summer.

Now look to your left. You can see a remarkably large red beech tree, over two hundred years old. The red building in the back may also catch your attention. This is the château des Espagnols' ("Spanjaardenkasteel"), a name that originates from the 17th century. At that time, Spanish soldiers were indeed garrisoned there after driving the Protestants out of Renaix.

In the 18th century, the dean of the chapter of Saint-Hermès made it his residence. The last dean of the chapter, Leemput, furnished the interiors of the lounges and the small boudoir in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles.

Today, the château des Espagnols' is an integral part of the MUST' (textile museum). You will find various sociocultural testimonies of our textile history there. If you pay attention, you will also notice other objects that evoke our past in the textile industry. Did you find it? In the pond stands a rust-colored sculpture made of a shuttle and a gear. To the left, you can also observe the iron skeleton of a loom.
Now continue straight ahead: you are heading towards the church of the Place du Jeu de Paume (Kaatsspelplein).

Patrimundo