Curious about Vorselaar's past? Discover it with your family in the ErfgoedApp Nette and Lander on an adventure in Forsellara. Children take their first steps into the rich history of the village, while parents also learn a lot along the way. What starts as an ordinary walk quickly turns into an adventure full of riddles, encounters, and interesting facts.
Back to the old Forsellara
Did you know that Vorselaar used to be called Forsellara ? When Nette and Lander go exploring, they end up in an underground passageway that leads to the little chapel in the Dreef, in Forsellara—the Vorselaar of yesteryear. And... oh no, they're stuck! Can you help them return to their own time?
During the tour, you help Nette and Lander find their way home step by step. Along the way, you meet all kinds of interesting characters from ancient Vorselaar who help them on their way. By giving the right answers to the questions posed by the cardinal, knight, nun, or diamond cutter, you discover the four-kilometer route that will bring them back home.
Katrien Diels and the municipality of Vorselaar created an interactive experience that allows you to explore the village at your own pace.
The starting point: Schranshoeve
The story begins (and ends) at the Schranshoeve, where the past and present visibly intersect. Here you will be greeted by Cardinal Van Roey, who will tell you more about it. The Schranshoeve was where he lived and studied during his youth. Today, after your walk, you can enjoy a delicious lunch or a drink there. Along the route, you will also find information boards with additional facts.
After the Schranshoeve, continue your journey past other places that played an important role in the history of Vorselaar. For example, discover the story of the Sisters of Vorselaar. The convent was founded in 1820 as a 'work school for poor children' by priest Lodewijk Vincent Donche and Countess Regina della Faille. It grew into the Congregation of Christian Schools – the 'Sisters of Vorselaar' – which turned Vorselaar into a leading educational center and changed the village forever.
The convent of the Sisters of Vorselaar. © Brinthe Thys
The tour is aimed at children aged 7 to 11, but everyone will learn fascinating facts about the history of Vorselaar during the walk. Thanks to the games, questions, and video clips, you will be actively involved in the story. The tour brings nature and heritage together in an accessible way, allowing you to discover the village and the surrounding landscape in a new way. You will experience how the past and present are intertwined in Vorselaar.
The walk is also deeply rooted in the village itself. Local figures such as Cardinal Van Roey, folk healer Mie Broos, and cyclocross rider Bart Wellens are featured, as are local stories and dialect words.
Would you like to help Nette and Lander and get to know Vorselaar better? Put on your walking shoes and open the tour in the ErfgoedApp. Prefer a longer walk? The ErfgoedApp also ErfgoedApp routes of 6.4 km and 13.8 km.
Would you like to explore Vorselaar in a playful way? Then discover the board game!
With thanks to Katrien Diels from the Municipality of Vorselaar.
