Anyone walking through the tranquil forests and heathlands of the Brabantse Kempen today will experience nothing but peace. Yet for centuries, exciting stories unfolded here. About smugglers who crossed the border in the dark, and about legends passed down from generation to generation. De Kempen is a region with a hidden depth. Let us take you on a journey.
A region on the border
De Kempen lies right on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, and it was precisely this border that determined the character of the region for centuries. Where there is a border, there is trade, and where taxes are levied, smuggling arises. The vast forests and quiet sandy paths were the ideal cover: those who knew the way could slip unseen from one country to another.
The work of the smugglers
On dark nights, smugglers carried their goods across the border, often with baskets or bundles on their backs. Butter, coffee, cigarettes, and gin were popular commodities, simply because they were cheaper or scarcer on the other side of the border. It was risky work, with customs on their heels, and in popular folklore, the cleverest smugglers became true heroes. It's no coincidence that many families in the region still bear a nickname harking back to that past.
The Cartierheide: silent witness
One of the places where this past is still tangible is the Cartierheide near Eersel. The forests here were once smuggling territory, and even Napoleon left his mark. If you walk or cycle there now, you'll feel far from the inhabited world, exactly as the smugglers intended.
Legends that live on
In addition to smuggling stories, De Kempen has a rich tradition of legends: folk tales that explained the inexplicable and were passed down by the fireplace. They warned against the dark forest, gave shape to fear and superstition, and became a little more beautiful with each telling. Many of these stories still live on in local names and customs.
The most famous legend: Zwarte Kaat
The most famous legend of the region is that of Zwarte Kaat (Black Kaat), the robber witch who, according to tradition, terrorized De Kempen in 1596 along with her gang. The story fits the time and place eerily well: a period full of fear, a region full of forest, and a community that needed an explanation for evil. Do you want to read the whole story? You can find it in our blog about the legend of Zwarte Kaat. And if you want to understand how such witch stories could arise, read about the history of witch hunts in De Kempen.
Experience the stories yourself
Reading history is great, but experiencing it is even better. At Heksenjacht Bladel (Witch Hunt Bladel), you embark on a GPS scavenger hunt through the landscape where the legend of Zwarte Kaat originated, past historical sites and with puzzles that bring the past to life. This way, you become part of the story for a few hours.
Book your ticket now and discover the mysterious side of De Kempen.
