Boortmeerbeek Travel Guide

Agreed, Planckendael is technically no part of Boortmeerbeek. It's located on the border of Boortmeerbeek and Mechelen (Muizen).

Planckendael is a second location of the famous zoo of Antwerp. As it is located in a green area, it was possible to extend the size of cages, giving to Planckendael a more animal-friendly environment.

Planckendael is very famous for its tracking program for storks ("ooievaar"). The tracking program has its own website on http://www.ooievaars.vlaanderen.be/.

A nice way to get there to take a train to MECHELEN, and there get on the boat that brings you to the backdoors of the zoo.

Boortmeerbeek is a very quiet place in the evening. If you would like to enjoy an evening going out, check my pages on Mechelen, Leuven and Antwerp

The Heverband has its hometown in Hever (that's a part of Boortmeerbeek). A lot of people you will meet in the region around Hever are playing in it. If you have a change to see them play: don't hesitate

When you are in Boortmeerbeek, stop for a short while at the railway. The railway (Today line 53, Mechelen - Leuven) has been the scene of a heroic act on 19 april 1943.

Three men placed a red light on the rails when a train, transporting prisoners for deportation to Auschwitz. The train stopped. 17 persons could jump off before the germans opened fire. Some 200 other persons could leave the train during the rest of the trip.

A small plate in the little road next to the railway (500meter northwest of the Haacht Station) has been installed as memory.

Boortmeerbeek, Keerbergen, Putte and surrounding areas are beatifull for walking. Lots of green spaces and beautifull sights to discover.

Equipment: Waterproof boots, as Belgium tends to be a rather wet country :-)