PLACES & VENUES | ROSABELGICA2023

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programme

from June 5 to June 9, 2023- Brussels

5 DAYS OF CONFERENCES, EXCLUSIVE VISITS TO

ROSE PRODUCERS AND ROSE GARDENS, SOCIAL EVENTS

Page under construction, more information available for November 15, 2022

Theatre du Vaudeville

The current site of the Théâtre du Vaudeville used to house the flower market, a building with a glass roof which was designed in 1847 by the architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer.

In 1853, this market, whose columns and structure with superimposed galleries were preserved, was converted into a café which held concerts, named the Casino des Galeries Saint-Hubert. The building was restored in 1884 and soon became the Théâtre du Vaudeville. The Art Deco style hall designed by the architect Ide was added in 1926, while the rest maintained its opulent gilded stucco. The premises, which were ultimately transformed into a private club in 1974, became a multi-purpose venue

Cercle Royal Gaulois

The Cercle aimed in 1847 to “provide a meeting place for lovers of the arts and literature” and enlarged now to “friends, intellectuals, artists and writers with no political, cultural or philosophical bias. It is established in the Parc Royal since 1871 which has been created on the ground of the burned Coudenberg Château. although the beauty of this parc imputs a peaceful feeling, it survived to tragic events as the battles for the Belgian independance.

Hex Castle

Hex Castle is owned by the Count Ghislain d’Ursel and was built in 1770 next to the County of Looz by the Prince-Bishop of Liège François-Charles von Velbruck. The garden, composed of English and French-style parts includes a wonderful collection of somehow 250 varieties roses. The Rosa Velbruck Indica Centifolia for example, has never been found anywhere else. The estate has been recognised as a Garden of Excellence by the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2003.

A private estate owned by Chevalier Norbert de Schaetzen van Brienen has now become a reception venue. The estate is constituted of a garden of 8 hectares of parc and 12 hectares of wood. A breathtaking rose garden including 350 different roses embellishes it.

Meise Botanical garden

One of the biggest botanical garden in the world (92 hectares) located some 10km from Brussels. The two well-developed departments of researches can count on the 18,000 different species, 60,000 botanical books, an herbarium of 3 millions of different species and a huge complexe of greenhouses welcoming different species in 13 big greenhouses and 22 smaller. In 2008, 2 specimens of Arum Titan (Amorphophallus titanum) joined this already well-developed panel of flowers which is quite impressive.

Widooie

François Crépin Herbarium
For more than hundred years, Meise Botanic Garden has been curating a unique 19th century rose herbarium, created and assembled by the Belgian rose specialist François Crépin (1830-1903). His herbarium grew to become the most important global rose herbarium, both culturally and scientifically – a status it still holds today.

Vrijbroek Park

The 50-hectare-plus Vrijbroek Park is situated on the outskirts of the city. It is the ideal place to walk, kick a football around or read. A visit to the magnificent rose garden is highly recommended, even if only for the seductive scent of the more than 100 different species of roses! In 2003 the World Federation of Rose Societies granted it the 'Award of Garden Excellence'.

Le Roeulx

Le Roeulx hosts one of the most recognized “jardin concours” in Europe created in 1963 by father Benoit Friart in what is now known as the old St-Jacques Hospital. The more than 2000 rose plants make that garden the perfect place to discover the difference between a rose garden and a jardin concours as it is not entirely the same.

Coloma rose garden

At the time of Maria Theresa of Austria, her Chamberlain Karel de Coloma married Baroness Eugenia Roose and became the new owner of the Castle. That is how the story of the Roose/rose Castle began. After being passed to different noble families the municipality of Sint-Peter-Leeuw purchased it in 1984. They renewed most of the estate but the initial plans of the vegetable garden of the castle were kept as a souvenir as well as the presence of red and white roses.

PRE-tour

from June 2 to June 5, 2023

Bruges, Kortrijk and Ghent, 3 days

Lens roses
The rose garden founded in 1870 has seen 3 generations of the Lens family. It represents today more than 2000m2 of roses and more than 800 varieties. Thanks to the knowledge and the diversity they have acquired within the years, they develop new types of roses more resilient. A healthy environment is one of their biggest concern as they use solar panel as power supplier, reuse rainwater and respect the soil as much as possible.

Ter Doest Lissewege

A 17th-century monastery farm and its 13th-century barn: this is the beauctiful setting of this country grill run by the Dendooven family. Here you can enjoy good products from the land (beef and chicken , in particular) and from the sea (oysters and lobsters from the fishpond). The cuisine is generous, like the crispy schrimp croquettes and the wood roasted belgian Blue beef.

Castle Garden Oostkerke

This Millenium polders' site was revived in the manner of G. Jekyll before and after WWII. Welcomed by the towers of the old farmhouse, we walk through the castle and find on the foundations of the walkway the mixed seasonal borders in the spirit of M. Ruys and drawn by Van Wassenhove. The Virgin's garden, the rose collection, the topiary trees and the beautiful vistas promise us an untold visit!

Bruges

In the 9th century, the vikings built the first fortifications of the city heart. Direct connections to other ports via the Zwin Canal made the city one of the most important textile manufacturing and trading centers in Europe. This golden age lasted until the 15th Century. The painter Jan Van Eyck is an excellent example of this refinement. It was in this context that the city published the very first English printed book. After a decline of 3 centuries, the Baudouin Canal breathed new life in the city.

Adornes Domain

The Adornes family originates from the Italian city of Genoa. When Opicius Adornes joined the retinue of the Count of Flanders in the thirteenth century, he moved to Flanders and started a new branch of the family tree. It soon became part of the Bruges aristocracy and played an important part in the life of the city. Its best-known descendant is Anselm Adornes, who in the fifteenth century -when the estate dates out from- became an influential businessman, diplomat and knight.

Loppem Castle

Built in 1856 by Baron Charles van Caloen and his wife Savina de Gourcy Serainchamps, the castle designed by de Béthune is a jewel of neo-gothic art in Belgium.

It is now a museum where you can also discover the bedroom of King Leopold III and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium in 19178, and admire the art collection of Jean and Roland van Caloen. In the wooded park, there is a labyrinth and the former riding school has been converted into a reception area.

Ghent

An existing destination for a trip back in time: surrounded by two rivers, the Scheldt and the Lys, impressive monuments depict the tumultuous course of Ghent from the Middle Ages to the present day. The birthplace of Charles V is Today the largest student city in Belgium, the third largest port city - even though the port was dug inland- This enables the city to establish a prosperous export trade in flowers, and textiles as in the past, but also in high technology.

House Beaucarne, Ename

Beaucarne House has been occupied by the same family since the 18th century. This fascinating house has been passed from on e generation to the next with a passion for collection. It was protected as a historic monument in 1976 at the instigation of its owner, Baron Jacques Fredericq (1926-1996). The house- Today managed mainly by Jaques' grandson, Julien Fornari- opens its doors to the public for original visits.

St Bavo’s Cathedral

The church built in 942 on the early foundations has now become the imposing actual cathedral after a long and rich history. Within that monument is exposed "The mystic Lamb" by Hubrecht and Jan Van Eyck. Both represent the Flemish school in the 15th century. this painting is considered their masterpiece and one of the greatest works of art in Europe.

Ooidonk

Ooidonk Castle is without any doubt one of the most beautiful castles in the country. Former property of the Ducs de Montmorency and Counts de Hornes, the property was rebuilt during the 16th century after it was demolished during religious war. The new owner, Maarten della Faille created a residential castle with a Renaissance spirit. In 1864 the future Senator Henri t’Kint de Roodenbeke bought the property and his heirs are still living in the Castle nowadays.

Rose garden Kortrijk

The international rose garden, a park covering an area of approximately one hectare located near Kasteel ‘t Hooghe, includes a test garden where 100 to 150 new rose creations by European plant breeders are planted and assessed every year. In addition, the extensive demonstration garden allows you to admire some two hundred commercialised rose varieties along with a collection of historical roses. A must for all rose lovers.

WFRS Garden Award