Peetje en Meetje

Peetje en Meetje is a small but curious arrangement of stones tucked away on the northwestern slope of the Kluisberg, inside the Kluisbos forest near Ruien, part of the municipality of Kluisbergen in Belgium's East Flanders. The name comes from the local dialect and loosely translates as "godfather and godmother" — a nickname that has puzzled hikers stumbling upon the stones during forest walks for generations.

What exactly is hidden in the forest?

The site consists of two large blocks of iron sandstone, positioned side by side in a way that resembles a megalithic structure. Their bulky, irregular shape has long invited speculation about who placed them there and why. The real story, though, turns out to be far more down-to-earth than the stones' mysterious appearance suggests.

Where do the legends about a sacrificial altar come from?

Several tales circulate about Peetje en Meetje, the most colorful being that of a Celtic stone altar once used for offerings. Another version claims the stones form a genuine dolmen — a megalithic burial chamber thousands of years old. Such legends are hardly unique in Europe: unexplained stone formations tend to attract folklore, especially when solid historical documentation is scarce.

What is the real history behind the site?

In fact, the arrangement is what's known as a folly — a decorative structure built purely for visual and imaginative effect, without any practical function. Follies like this were popular additions to nineteenth-century parks and forests frequented by wealthy visitors and day-trippers seeking leisure in nature. Peetje en Meetje dates back to exactly that period, the late nineteenth century, when the Kluisberg and its surrounding woods began drawing growing numbers of tourists. To make the walk more intriguing, the distinctive boulders were arranged in the forest, evoking associations with prehistoric megalithic monuments among visitors.

The story doesn't end in the nineteenth century, however. In the 1980s, an additional stone was placed on top of the existing arrangement, making the whole structure look even more like a classic dolmen — complete with a capstone resting on two upright boulders. That later addition is why Peetje en Meetje is today often described as a "pseudo-dolmen": it looks like a prehistoric monument, even though its origins go back only a few generations rather than several millennia.

Why is it worth a visit?

Even though Peetje en Meetje isn't an authentic relic of prehistory, the site has a charm of its own. It combines the scenic appeal of the Kluisbos forest with a touch of mystery and a good dose of local folklore. It makes for a rewarding short stop during a longer walk through the hills of the Kluisberg — a spot to pause, read up on the legends, and reflect on how easily nature and human imagination can combine to create a myth.

Frequently asked questions

Is Peetje en Meetje a real dolmen? No. It is a nineteenth-century decorative folly, to which an extra stone was added in the 1980s to make it look more like a dolmen.

Where exactly is it located? On the northwestern slope of the Kluisberg, inside the Kluisbos forest, near Ruien, in the municipality of Kluisbergen.

Where does the name come from? It comes from the local dialect and refers to a godfather and godmother — a nickname given to the stones by local residents.

Is it the only attraction in Kluisbos? No — the forest also offers other walking trails and viewpoints across the hills of the Kluisberg, popular with visitors to the region.