Riekend Rustpunt

About the museum

The Riekend Rustpunt stands at the Sluis (lock) in Berlare, on the site of a vanished lock probably dating from before the 15th century. That lock drained water from the wet Berlare Broek via the Berlaar into the tidal Scheldt (Zeeschelde). In 1644 the municipal treasurer and flax merchant Pieter Janssens was allowed to build a quay above the lock for loading and unloading boats with hay, straw, peat, manure and night soil. In 1938 a ship last moored here, and until 1960 cement and lime were stored.

After that the building fell into disrepair, until the municipality bought it and restored it in 2006. The small museum opened to the public in 2011. The project is an initiative of the Heem- en Oudheidkundige Kring Berlare (Berlare local history and heritage circle), and the municipality describes it as the smallest museum in the region.

The permanent exhibition “Van stadsstront naar zandgrond” (From City Dung to Sandy Soil) tells the story of the trade in night soil and manure from the 17th century to around the 1930s. Cities struggled with huge waste and manure problems, while the countryside could put these products to good use to fertilise its fields. Along the waterways a busy trade developed between town and countryside. The museum, unique in Flanders for its content, is also a place to rest during a cycling or walking tour.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Van stadsstront naar zandgrond” (From City Dung to Sandy Soil) on manure and night soil as trade goods
• Small building above a vanished lock, at a junction of cycling and walking routes
• In the cycling and walking season, free to walk in and out every afternoon
• Smallest museum in the region, an initiative of the Heem- en Oudheidkundige Kring Berlare

Permanent exhibition

• Van stadsstront naar zandgrond – A permanent exhibition on the trade in night soil and manure by water from the 17th century to the 1930s, and on the waste problems of the cities.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Gemeente Berlare

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The website does not state an entrance fee; the small building is freely accessible during the season.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the Sluis, at a junction of cycling and walking routes. By car, come via the E40 (exit 19 Aalst) or the E17 (exit 11 Lochristi/Beervelde or exit 12 Lokeren) to Berlare.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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