Site of Zevenborren

Upon arriving at the site of Zevenborren, we immediately have a view of the large Molenvijver. This is fed by springs and streams that flow from two small valleys on the left and right of the large pond.

Zevenborren is a cultural-historical landscape with significant elevation differences, rich in springs and ponds amidst a wooded environment. The name Zevenborren refers to the numerous springs that originate here, although the “seven” is not a reference to the exact number of springs. This is rather a medieval expression to denote a large number.

Currently, we count about 14 ponds of all sizes on the site, but this number has varied throughout history. These ponds were mostly created by damming, allowing for ponds to be filled and drained as needed. A good example of damming can be found here at the Molenvijver: the street forms a dam so that the ground level along the side of the buildings lies several meters deeper than the level of the pond.

Until the end of the 18th century, Zevenborren was still part of the Sonian Forest. Around 1380, a hermitage in Zevenborren was already mentioned, which eventually grew into an Augustinian priory. This could thrive here for about 400 years until it was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II in 1784 and largely demolished shortly thereafter.

Currently, hardly any traces of this glorious past can be found. What remains of the priory is the castle, the old abbey farm, and the nearby watermill. Throughout this landscape, one can see expensive villas peeking through the trees here and there. They are predominantly located in the territory of Braine-l'Alleud, which winds entirely around the ponds that belong to the Flemish Region (Sint-Genesius-Rode and to a lesser extent Dworp).

B&B Plattestien