Domein Rondenbos

Domein Rondenbos is a landscape park of nearly seven hectares in Alsemberg, part of the municipality of Beersel just south of Brussels. At its heart stands Kasteel Rondenbos, also known as Kasteel Bosquet, a castle built in the early twentieth century (around 1903–1909) in an eclectic style that blends historicist references with the architectural fashions of its time. Since 1974 the building has served as the town hall of Beersel, making it an unusual case of a former private residence that became a permanent part of local civic life.

What does the park around the castle look like?

The grounds surrounding the castle were laid out as a landscape park in the manner typical of the early twentieth century — gently winding paths, mature trees, and open clearings that stand in contrast to the stricter geometry of French-style gardens. This layout was meant to emphasize a sense of natural scenery and let visitors feel as though they were strolling through a private country estate, even though the site is now freely accessible to the public. The gently rolling terrain of this part of Beersel suits the style well.

What can visitors do at Domein Rondenbos?

Beyond everyday use as a place for walks and quiet relaxation, the park becomes the setting for outdoor summer concerts from mid-May to early July — the so-called parkconcerten, staged for a limited audience in an intimate open-air atmosphere. The series has become a fixture of the local cultural calendar, drawing residents of the wider region who enjoy music performed outdoors.

The estate also hosts a natuurbegraafplek, a natural burial ground managed by the Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos (the Flemish agency for nature and forests). This arrangement combines the park's recreational role with that of a natural cemetery, where burials follow a form as close as possible to the surrounding natural cycle, without conventional headstones.

Why is it worth a visit?

Domein Rondenbos illustrates how a site can evolve from a private residence into a multifunctional public space serving administrative, cultural, and recreational purposes all at once. Visitors can admire the castle's architecture from the outside, walk the paths of the landscape park, and, in summer, attend an open-air concert. It also makes a good starting point for exploring the surroundings of Beersel and Alsemberg, an area known for its gently rolling countryside south of Brussels.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to Domein Rondenbos free? The park itself is open green space accessible to everyone, while the castle building functions as the town hall and is open during the municipal administration's office hours.

Where exactly is the castle located? At Alsembergsteenweg 1046 in Alsemberg, within the municipality of Beersel.

What are the parkconcerten? A series of open-air summer concerts held in the park from mid-May to early July, staged for a limited audience in an intimate setting.

Is there a burial site within the park? Yes, the estate includes a natuurbegraafplek, a natural burial ground managed by the Flemish agency for nature and forests.