Launch on Heritage Day!
On Heritage Day, Bornem Abbey is launching a brand-new experience: a family-friendly tour filled with stories, humor, playful activities, and a generous dose of mischievous Pedro Coloma energy.
The museum tour is designed as an ErfgoedApp and is the second installment in a growing series that brings Bornem’s heritage to life in a fresh and accessible way. Following the success of Out and About with Pedro Coloma — a walk via the ErfgoedApp the area surrounding the abbey and the castle, past historical gems such as the Eendenkooi, a Romanesque crypt, and a 17th-century healing chapel — Pedro now takes you inside, right into the abbey.
Behind the abbey walls, a completely new journey of discovery awaits, taking you through twelve unique spaces. Along the way, Pedro shares stories—in his characteristically lighthearted and humorous style—about monastic life, the site’s origins, and the remarkable artifacts found there.
The tour is cleverly structured in different layers and includes an audio guide. For those who are interested, there is an optional printed brochure with activities. This way, both children and adults will find humor, challenges, and depth —allowing them to lose themselves in the story.
A 16th-century Spaniard who left his mark on Bornem
Pedro Coloma was not merely a passionate storyteller, but a historical figure who left a lasting mark on the Land of Bornem. As a Spanish immigrant, he brought new ideas, international connections, and a fresh perspective to the region in the 16th and 17th centuries. He built, renovated, organized, and promoted education and religion. His presence left traces that are still visible today in the landscape, in buildings, archives, traditions, and even in place names.
That’s exactly why he’s the ideal guide: a colorful bridge-builder who not only knows Bornem’s story, but actually helped write it. In the app, he comes to life as a charming, mischievous storyteller who effortlessly draws you into his world.
From hiking guide to a recognizable heritage landmark
With this new tour, Pedro is further expanding his reach. He is becoming Bornem’s most recognizable heritage figure:
- Outside, the app guides you through the landscape surrounding the castle and abbey,
- Inside, he takes you on a tour of the refectory, the library, the chapter house, the choir, the cloisters, and much more.
And it doesn’t stop there. In the future, Pedro will continue to put Bornem on the map—literally. He will serve as the main point of contact for families, children, and curious visitors who want to discover Bornem’s heritage in an accessible and playful way.
ErfgoedApp