Picture this a 14th-century farmhouse. This is the Hof ter Cauwerschueren. It stands before you a testament to time. Originally belonging to the Abbey of Vorst it has witnessed centuries unfold. Its origins lie in the shared farmland of the era. The main building on Roodebeeksteenweg retains its Brabant rural architecture. Imagine the farmers who toiled here.
The Hof ter Cauwerschueren wasn’t just a farm. It served as a hub of activity. In 1911 artist Michel Sterckmans a student of Montald acquired it. He transformed the stables and barns adapting them to his needs. He resided there until 1942. A curious detail a brewery once existed here. Mr Abbeloos established it in 1912. You can still see its remnants on the neighboring plot.
The Count and Countess Henri d’Oultremont bought the property in 1954. They undertook a meticulous restoration. They modernized the dwelling preserving its original character. Their work was thorough. The bakehouse pigpens and orchard were all restored to their former glory. The family truly breathed life back into the Hof ter Cauwerschueren.
The Hof ter Cauwerschueren’s history is intertwined with its surroundings. The Roodebeek valley a tributary of the Woluwe river played a pivotal role. The valley’s dry riverbed a silent witness to the area’s hydrological past. Its spontaneous vegetation offers refuge to local wildlife especially birds. The almost continuous use of this zone since the 14th century. It holds significant archaeological potential. The Hof ter Cauwerschueren is more than just a building. It is a living story waiting to be explored. It embodies centuries of agricultural life artistic endeavors and careful restoration.