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In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst (Belgium)
About the pub

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A traditional Belgian pub in the heart of Pajottenland...

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As soon as you enter the café, you might think that a time machine has beamed you to the end of the 40s or the early 50s. The owners are doing their utmost to combine modern comfort with the authenticity of this small part of Flemish heritage. They take care not to destroy the typical atmosphere, which reigns in a traditional Belgian pub. The ticking of the Westminster clock adds something special.

Until March 2000 there was no water closet, only a kind of latrine (a wooden board with a hole) in the so-called "huizeke" (little house) outside. Although the restoration has not yet been completed, the pub holders have already carried out some improvements.

In the Summer of 2000 the municipality of Lennik has delivered the building permit and the restoration works have begun. At present construction work at the back of the building is more or less finished. That is why the bar is now housed in the future kitchen of Kurt's home ("staminee in de keuken").

The typical atmosphere exhaled by the original interior of this village pub will be kept intact. Preserving the soul of "In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst" is a top priority.

Eizeringen's Heritage

The pub is one of the key elements of the village, which is partly protected by a Flemish heritage decree. The protected buildings are the Saint Ursula church (built in 1840) and the castle 'Neufcourt', which will probably be renovated in the years to come.
 
In the near future the Flemish government will buy all land around the castle. The plan is to redesign the gardens as they were in 1855. The garden works will be lead by Mr Vossen , who is also responsible for the gardens of the castle of Gaasbeek and Groenenberg.

The pub is one of the oldest brick buildings in the village. The archives of the Land Register confirm that the house was built in 1841. Howaever, in the past the pub was smaller. The difference in colour of the tiles is a silent relic, which refers to the fact that part of the pub was a candy store before.

Yves & Kurt Panneels

Thanks to Kurt en Yves Panneels a typical aspect of the Pajot culture was preserved.
Picture: Geert Van Lierde