On the edge of the Sonian Forest lies one of the most spectacular sites in the province of Flemish Brabant. With its sparkling ponds and French-style garden, Tervuren Park invites you to completely disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life.
But beyond its lush nature and unique wildlife, this green gem is home to a cultural and historical treasure with an impressive heritage,the AfricaMuseum. Recently transformed, this place of remembrance offers a captivating immersion into the heart of the African continent, transforming the town into an unmissable stopover, just 30 minutes from Brussels.
Tervuren Park: a wild walk among French gardens and local wildlife
Formerly the hunting grounds of the Dukes of Brabant, Tervuren Park covers 205 hectares of state-owned woodland divided into two distinct valleys. Upon entering, visitors are struck by the regal beauty of the French garden that marks the start of the park. Not far from the ruins of the old Tervuren Castle, former residence of the governors of Austria, you will discover the Bandundu Water Jazz Band, an unusual fountain sculpted by Belgian artist Tom Frantzen.
© andreasgijbels.com
A unique natural elegance that gradually gives way to wilder vegetation. Around the eight ponds fed by the Voer, the local wildlife has reclaimed its rights. You may encounter squirrels and rabbits that approach visitors, but you may also spot more discreet species, such as ring-necked parakeets. Tervuren Park is a true sanctuary of biodiversity, offering a dazzling spectacle.
The AfricaMuseum in Tervuren: the transformation of an imperial palace into a modern memorial
The former Colonial Palace, a neoclassical building inaugurated by Leopold II during the 1910 World’s Fair, is now home to the AfricaMuseum. The museum changed names several times over the years until its renovation in 2013. In 2018,the AfricaMuseum reopened with the aim of presenting a contemporary and decolonized vision of Africa, offering a striking contrast to the building’s origins, which was designed at the time as a museum and a tool for colonial propaganda.
Today, the experience begins with a glass reception pavilion that opens onto a fascinating journey into the heart of contemporary African art. In addition to offering its visitors the opportunity to contemplate many unique works, the museum also questions them about the shared history between Africa and Belgium. An essential bridge between eras and continents, with a rediscovered heritage and a past steeped in history, in the heart of Tervuren.