The story of the Rupel region is a story with many facets, told in different locations and spread throughout the region. With relics of its industrial past, the abundant presence of water and its unique nature, the Rupel region has many assets.
The theme of clay is the common thread in this story. It makes the landscape readable and gives the different locations their place and meaning. The clay story includes not only the industrial past of the brickworks, but also the origins, the mining of clay and the social aspect.
Nature development in the reclaimed area is a direct result of the industrial clay past. Nature spontaneously takes over the vacant lands. What is also unique is that the various stages of that development are still visible thanks to current reclamation. On your way through the region, you will discover a fascinating diversity of fauna and flora.
Of course, the story of the Rupel region is also the story of a river, the Rupel. It is partly thanks to the Rupel and its role as a transport artery that the clay story is so important to this region. Today, the river forms an important recreational route and it is wonderful to get a breath of fresh air while walking or cycling on the “Rupeldijk”.
Colophon
The redevelopment of the water tower of Rumst is an initiative of the municipality of Rumst and was realized with the support of many partners.
The following persons and institutions cooperated and provided historical and contemporary visual material: Augustijn Buelens, Clementine Peeters, De Root, Eduard Van Boxem, Erik De Keersmaecker, Fons van den Heuvel, Fried Happaerts, Hugo Willocx, Jos Roelandts, Kamiel De Clerck, Karel De Roeck, Luc Swenden, Paul De Niel, Pidpa, Raymond De Smet, Regionaal Landschap Rivierenland, Rumesta, Toerisme Rupelstreek-Vaartland, Ten Boome