Dreaming away by the fire

The Ernest Van Dijck library is located on the first floor of Villa Servais and is freely accessible to the guests of our B&B.

She owes her name to tenor Ernest Van Dijck, who in 1886 married Augusta, the youngest daughter of François Servais. He undertook several concert tours in America, performed in European opera houses and was highly acclaimed in Vienna as the singer of Richard Wagner’s operas. The young couple settled in the Austrian capital and were at home with the Viennese aristocracy. They had three children: Adrienne, Ysolde and Marc.

The emperor even appointed him Kaiserlich-Königlicher Kammersänger in 1891.

In 1907 he performed in Halle during the festivities surrounding the centenary of his famous father-in-law François Servais. His descendants support the rich story of Villa Servais and are still happy to visit.

The Ernest Van Dijck library has a unique view of the restored Halse St. Martin’s Basilica through the three patio doors. The access to the terrace was designed by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar in blue stone.

Enjoy this unique departure at Villa Servais. Feel free to pick up some reading material from the library, relax in the cozy sofas that have been restored according to traditional methods and dream away by the crackling fire. Fancy a coffee? Then our coffee corner offers everything you need.