Rivierenhof

Rivierenhof is the largest park in Antwerp, spreading across 135 hectares in the Deurne district. It holds the title of Belgium's oldest provincial estate, having opened to the public on 7 May 1923 as the very first "provincial park" in Flanders. Today it combines centuries of layered history with the role of a green refuge for the surrounding city.

Where does the story of Rivierenhof begin?

The site's origins trace back to the 15th century, when a small farm called Hof Ter Rivieren stood here. In the 16th century it was turned into a pleasure estate for a wealthy Antwerp merchant. From 1618 to 1773 the property belonged to the Jesuit order, a period still marked by a plaque dated 1735.

Who shaped the park into its current form?

After the Jesuit order was dissolved in 1773, banker Jan Baptist Cogels bought the estate along with the neighbouring Sterckshof. He commissioned Charles de Wailly, court architect to French King Louis XVI, to redesign the grounds. De Wailly built the castle that still stands today and laid out the park around it, adding formal gardens, tree-lined avenues, new canals, and a reflecting pond.

When did Rivierenhof become a public park?

In 1921 the last noble heirs decided to sell the estate. Thanks to the initiative of provincial clerk Jozef Schobbens, the Province of Antwerp purchased the land as green space for the densely populated Deurne-Borgerhout area, home to many workers with little access to nature. On 7 May 1923, Rivierenhof officially opened its gates to everyone, becoming Flanders' first provincial park and Belgium's oldest provincial estate.

How did the park grow over the decades?

Once under provincial ownership, the domain was steadily expanded — from roughly 40 hectares to today's 135. New ponds were dug, the ground was reshaped and raised, the historic castles were renovated, and picturesque shelters and pavilions were added. This gradual expansion throughout the 20th century created the varied landscape visitors encounter today.

What can visitors find in Rivierenhof today?

Beyond its wide green stretches, Rivierenhof houses several themed attractions: collection gardens, an arboretum, a rose garden, and historic castles tied to the Cogels family's legacy. The park is also a cultural stage for Antwerp — its open-air theatre has hosted summer performances and concerts for decades, drawing audiences under the sky.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rivierenhof located? The park lies in the Deurne district of the city of Antwerp, in Antwerp Province, Belgium.

How large is Rivierenhof? It covers 135 hectares, making it the largest municipal park in Antwerp.

Since when has it been open to the public? Since 7 May 1923, when the Province of Antwerp opened it to all residents.

Who designed the park's layout? Charles de Wailly, court architect to Louis XVI, redesigned the grounds in the 18th century for banker Jan Baptist Cogels.

Are there historic buildings in the park? Yes — historic castles connected to the Cogels family still stand, along with a 1735 plaque commemorating the earlier Jesuit ownership.