Schansenroute in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem

This bicycle or walking tour takes you along the six entrenchments of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem.
This is an initiative of the municipality of Hulshout, Herselt, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Tessenderlo, Laakdal and Westerlo, the local local communities and the IOED de Merode n.On the occasion of the Archaeology Days 2022.

What are entrenchments?
The Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) breaks out in the Merode region, the inhabitants take refuge in fortified towns or churches. Peasants who lived in a hamlet further away from such places of protection started to build their own entrenchments to protect themselves and their livestock from invading troops. A peasant entrenchment is a piece of land around which the community collectively built a rampart and wide moat. A drawbridge provided access to the entrenchment. Simple shelters were established on the entrenchment, as well as entrenchment houses. Life on the entrenchment was organized by entrenchment regulations; in times of emergency, one had to react immediately and discipline was a matter of life and death.

More info via https://www.cultuurenerfgoeddemerode.be/projecten/archeologiedagen-20-21-en-22-mei-2022

Sources:
- Authors: Kjell Corens and David Swinnen
- Corens, K. Castle Hoevebeemden in Testelt, Averbode, 2009.
- Minnen, B. The Duchy of Aarschot under Charles of Croÿ 1595-1612 (Albums de Croÿ XXVII), Brussels, 1993.
- Van Ermen, E. The wall maps of the Duchy of Aarschot 1759-1775, Brussels, 1998.
- Van Ermen, E. The map book of Averbode 1650-1680, Brussels, 1997.
- Van Ermen, E. Map book of Park Abbey, Brussels, 2000.

📏 29.5 km
📍 Tourism Department, Public Space, Basilieklaan,16, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem
🏁 Tourism Department, Public Space, Basilieklaan,16, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem