The Old Tower in Oostelbeers

The Old Tower is a medieval church tower located near Oostelbeers in the municipality of Oirschot. The tower stands in the middle of the fields, approximately 700 meters outside the village, surrounded by a wooded area and a shooting range.

History of the Old Tower

The church of Oostelbeers was first mentioned in 1207; at that time, Tongerlo Abbey had the right to appoint the pastor. Between 1300 and 1350, the church tower was built against the existing church. This tower still stands today. In the 15th century, the church was enlarged and the tower became taller.
After the Peace of Münster (1648), the church was neglected by the Protestants. By 1798, the church was in such poor condition that the residents of Oostelbeers refused to use it anymore. In the second half of the 19th century, the church collapsed, but the tower remained standing. The connection to the church can still be seen in the tower wall.

Construction of the Tower
The tower is a simple brick structure of four sections with a tented roof and no buttresses. Remains of a church can be found next to the tower. The entire structure appears to have been surrounded by a moat and earthen rampart. The tower is home to bats and a barn owl.
In 1968, the tower was restored, and the spire was removed.

Renovation
In 2024, the tower was renovated and the foundations of the old walls are exposed again, preserving the surrounding trees. During this work, an old fortification wall from the Eighty Years' War was discovered.