Ranzinelle Mountain

At the foot of the valley, where the Molignée river winds its way through, the “Montagne de Ranzinelle” rises up its steep limestone hillsides above the village buildings. Indissociable from the soul of Sosoye, it is the origin of the nickname of the inhabitants, called “Montagnards”.

Beyond its landscape qualities, the “Mountain” conceals many treasures and is one of the jewels of our natural heritage: classified as a state nature reserve and a site of great biological interest since 1999, the limestone lawns that cover its slopes conceal a flora that is rare in Belgium (wild orchids, etc.) and a rich and diverse fauna (species of sub-Mediterranean origin, etc.).

It is the combination of a dry, nutrient-poor soil and the high level of sunshine on the site that has encouraged the development of this exceptional biodiversity. These limestone lawns were created by man and are the result of extensive grazing until the beginning of the 19th century: every morning, the village’s herd was entrusted to a shepherd who was responsible for taking it to graze on the grassy slopes of the tiennes (limestone hills). Sheep and goats thus prevented the regrowth of plants, which allowed the development of this particular natural site.

For more information, see our heritage sheet.