“Imagine if these brick walls could talk,” I muse. We’re standing before the Hof te Wolsem. This farm has stood here since the late 19th century. It is nestled in the serene Wolsem area.
Hof te Wolsem offers a glimpse into rural life of the past. The original farm was once a fief. It belonged to the lords of Bodegem. The Ferraris map shows a farm called “Le Cauters” around 1770-1778. However, it wasn’t yet the enclosed structure we see today.
Around 1870, the closed farmstead was built. The De Nieuwlandt family owned it then. Between 2003 and 2010, the Hof te Wolsem underwent complete renovations. This ensured its preservation for future generations.
Notice the layout of the Hof te Wolsem. The main house faces northwest. Stables and a barn run parallel to the street. Look to the east. There is a wide arched gateway with a small tiled gable roof. To the southwest are more stables. A long barn and carriage house sit parallel to these to the northeast. North of the farm, in the meadow, stands a separate shed with a bakehouse.
Observe the brick buildings under their tiled gable roofs. The main house has a cellar. It features eight bays and one and a half stories. Originally, the windows had shutters. They have rectangular windows with hard stone sills. The rectangular door features a flat hard stone frame. Upstairs, arched openings once existed. Now they are altered. The back facade also has changed openings. Inside, in 2003, you could still see the beamed structure. There was a red tile floor, door frames, and a sintered brick fireplace.
The two-aisled long barn has five bays and an arched gate. The west facade, facing the farmyard, features rectangular openings with hard stone sills. The east facade is windowless. The framework remains preserved. Attached to the barn on the south is a carriage house. It features two arched gates under a hipped roof.
The stables and barn have rectangular doors. They feature flat hard stone frames. There are arched gates and small round-arched openings. The last bay to the south houses a carriage house. It has an arched gate. The stables to the southwest feature rectangular flat hard stone door frames. Above these are oval ventilation holes. The upper floor has rectangular openings with hard stone sills. The first bay to the south features an arched gate. Sandstone was used for the right jamb. The west facade has altered openings.
Behind the Hof te Wolsem in the meadow sits a rectangular brick shed. It has a lower oven, both under tiled gable roofs.
Today, Hof te Wolsem is not just a historical site. It’s a place for celebrations. It is a popular venue for weddings. Its rustic setting lends a romantic backdrop to special occasions. Hof ter Musschen ensures every detail is perfect. The experienced staff elevates every wedding. It leaves a lasting impression on all guests. Hof te Wolsem stands as a testament to time. It blends history with modern celebrations.