Peerdsbos

The Peerdsbos is a forest and nature area situated inside the Belgian municipalities of Brasschaat and Schoten, to the north of the metropolis of Antwerp. The domain largely consists of forests and without delay borders the Vordenstein domain in Schoten to the south-east, and the Brasschaat municipal park to the northwest. The Peerdsbos is the oldest recognized forest area within the present-day province of Antwerp. Historically, the wooded area fashioned part of the Bremdonk area, which contained acres, meadows and forests used for logging and became donated to the Antwerp Sint-Elisabeth hospital through Isabella of Breda in 1280.

During the following centuries the hospital used the rents earned via leasing the belongings to finance its operations. Until lately, the domain turned into nevertheless property of the Public Centre for Social Welfare. In the course of time, big components of the unique area were sold and parceled out. Also, Brasschaat mayors Van Havre and Reussens bought elements of the Peerdsbos domain inside the nineteenth century to create the network park of Brasschaat.