Donjon Ter Heyden

Donjon Ter Heyden is a medieval residential tower in Rotselaar, in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, near Werchter. Surrounded by water, the tower was built around the mid-14th century for Gerard van der Heyden, then serving as drossaard (a judicial official) of the Duchy of Brabant, with construction dated to between 1350 and 1363.

What makes this tower stand out?

The donjon rises across six levels to a height of roughly 30 meters, making it one of the taller surviving fortified towers in the Hageland region. Its most distinctive feature, however, is the floor plan: the tower is laid out in the shape of a Greek cross, an unusual design rarely found among defensive structures in the Southern Low Countries. The moat encircling the donjon underlines its original dual purpose — defending its owner while also serving as a prestigious residence.

What is the history behind the estate?

The tower formed the centerpiece of a larger estate. In the 17th century, a residential house was added alongside the donjon, and the wider property had long been linked to the nearby Cistercian convent of Vrouwenpark, founded in the early 13th century and dissolved only in 1796. For centuries, Ter Heyden therefore sat at the intersection of local secular and ecclesiastical power.

Why is there a tall chimney next to the tower?

The chimney that today serves as the site's most visible landmark dates from its industrial period. In 1869, mayor Theodoor Smedts established a brewery, Brouwerij de Toren, in the estate's manor house. Beer production continued there for decades before moving to Kampenhout and later being taken over by the Verlinden brewery of Lubbeek. Brewing activity at Ter Heyden lasted until 1939, after which the industrial buildings gradually lost their production function, leaving the chimney as a lasting trace of that era.

Can visitors tour the donjon today?

The estate remains privately owned, but it is not entirely closed to the public. The former brewery building now houses a beer-tasting room, "In den oude Brouwerij," offering regional products. The owners occasionally open the tower itself to organized groups, combining a visit with a tasting of local beers — a rare chance to see the interior of a 14th-century defensive structure that is otherwise inaccessible.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Rotselaar lies in the Hageland region, known for its agricultural landscape of grain, potato and beet fields alongside orchards. Near the donjon, notable landmarks include the Sint-Pieterskerk church, Kasteel Regahof castle, and a historic watermill, together forming a rich historical landscape in this part of Flemish Brabant.

Frequently asked questions

When was Donjon Ter Heyden built? The tower was constructed between 1350 and 1363, commissioned by Gerard van der Heyden.

How tall is the tower? The donjon has six levels and stands about 30 meters tall.

Can the tower be visited? Yes, although it is privately owned — the owners occasionally organize group tours combined with a beer tasting at the adjoining "In den oude Brouwerij."

What is the chimney next to the tower? It is a remnant of the Brouwerij de Toren brewery, established in 1869 and operating on the site until 1939.