Culture and heritage

You can’t miss it: the old Herkenrode Abbey Site exudes tranquillity, a link to the past and hospitality. The historic buildings have been restored, enterprising partners have made it a place for everyone, and the surrounding nature reveals its charm every season. Herkenrode Abbey Site invites you to relax and enjoy at your own pace. There is so much to do here, but nothing is compulsory. There’s something for everyone.

Once upon a time Herkenrode was the richest women's abbey in the Low Countries. The historic buildings have now been beautifully restored. The Experience Centre immerses you in the history of this unique site. But Herkenrode Abbey Site is about more than just history.

It is also a 100-hectare oasis of peace in a stunning nature reserve. Around the Abbey buildings, footpaths lead you to De Wijers with its 1,001 ponds. In the Herb and Inspiration Garden, you become one with nature.

Herkenrode Abbey Site is also a place of contemplation. Visit Hans Op de Beeck's artwork 'The Quiet View' and let your gaze wander across a never-ending landscape.

By car
On the E313 (Antwerp-Liège) take exit 27 (Hasselt-West). Follow the N2 direction Herk-De-Stad. Just after Decathlon, turn right. From there, follow the signs to the Abbey Site’s free car park.

By public transport
Take the train to Hasselt station. At the station square take bus 51 Heusden to the stop 'Herkenrode Brug'.

By bike
The Abbey Site of Herkenrode is located between nodes 94 and 237 of the Limburg cycling route network.

One of the three towers, that can be seen from the Market Place, is the 18th century Town Hall and is built around a medieval hall and belfry. The belfry tower features a renovated carillon with 50 bells and is protected as UN World Heritage. The renovated Town Hall, the eye catcher in the middle of the Market Place, is definitely worth a visit.

You can book a guided tour in the Town Hall. Reservation is required. Call +32 (0)11 70 18 18.

To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Belfry Tower’s inclusion on the Unesco World Heritage List, we are opening up city hall from 1 May to 1 September 2024 for an educational encounter. An exhibition throws a look at the history, architecture of the Belfry Tower and the Belgian carillon culture, which was recognised as intangible world heritage in 2014.

Bocholter Brouwerij Museum is Europe’ largest brewery museum. It is located in the historical brewer’s house, right opposite the fermentations tanks of the Martens brewery.
Here the Martens family brewed beer from 1758 until mid 19th century.
Today it is a multifunctional museum of 4.000 m².

De Achelse Kluis is an ancient abbey site at the gateway to
Nature Park De Groote Heide on the border between Belgium and The Netherlands. The Achel abbey beers are today still brewed at this historic location.

In the abbey shop you will find all the beers brewed at De Achelse Kluis. We also offer a wide selection of Trappist beers, as well as gift packs and monastic products.

The abbey tavern serves hot meals and snacks in addition to its own draft beer selection. You can put your feet under the table here after a beautiful nature walk or pleasant bike ride though the beautiful surroundings. The spacious outside terrace is always open when the Belgian weather allows.

Visit, taste and discover Achel!

Curiousto find out how miners breathed and worked at a depth of 800 m or how it feels to stand in a seemingly endless pit? Ever walked through a colourful jungle of pipes and steel? Here's your chance!

This is a magnificent space for Heusden-Zolder. The former hoisting machine building and the compressed air plant have been transformed into a fascinating space where you can experience the area's mining past in all its glory.

Walk among the giant compressors of the hoisting machine building to the balcony with iets beautiful view. Watching intriguing films, admire the impressive architecture and the effects of the works of light art by Jaap van den Elzen and Lego constructions by Dirk Denoyelle, among others. Along the way, ex-miners will talk to you.

Free access.
For photo reportage please register first via verhuringen@muze.be
Possibilities to rent conference rooms via verhuringen@muze.be

Masterpieces by Belgian artists from the period 1850 – 1950, exhibited in a unique way. Flemish celebrities talk about their connection with the artist or artwork.

Your city trip starts here!
Discover the hotspots in Belgium’s first city at a hefty discount. Explore intriguing museums, climb the tower of the basilica, see how the beguines lived, and relish in the afterglow at a cosy café or restaurant. Your city trip starts here!

Included in the City Pass:

Gallo-Roman Museum: choose between the permanent collection that takes you back to Roman Tongeren or marvel at a temporary exhibition.
Access to 2 of the 3 parts of the Teseum: will you go for the treasury with its religious artworks, the archaeological site under the cathedral, or climb the basilica tower to enjoy the breathtaking views?
Beghina Beguinage Museum: explore an authentic beguinage.
Moerenpoort: a medieval city gate that now serves as a museum.
Take advantage of one of the deals at a participating HoReCa business and bask in the impressions of an exciting day in Tongeren.

Mill "Nieuw Leven" is a semi-open standard mill from 1801 that belonged to the estate of the Vilain XIIII family. In 1920 the mill became the property of the Eisden coal mine and later still the mill was purchased by the municipality of Maasmechelen. It was already protected as a monument in 1945 and belongs to the oldest windmill type. In 1995 the mill was thoroughly restored. In 2022 the mill was restored again. Miller Albert van Hees retired and the new miller is Hans de Heus.