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Kantonnale Baan z/n, 3665 AS

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André Dumont Monument - Monument Andre Dumont As

André Dumont Monument

Tuinwijk - Tuinwijk As

Tuinwijk

Paaltje - Paaltje As

Paaltje

Toegangspoort Station As - station As

Toegangspoort Station As

Wandelgebied Station As - Ruwmortelven

Wandelgebied Station As

The hiking routes of ‘Station As’ will show you the typical landscape of the ‘Hoge Kempen’. The vast heather fields of yore have been replaces by pine forests and farm land. Still, there are some beautiful areas that will give you an idea of the former heather, like ‘Bosheide’, or ‘Driebanken’. The ‘Dilserbos’ and the ‘Lanklaarderbos’ will challenge your courage with some sturdy slopes of the ‘Kempens Plateau’.

The history of Limburg as a mining area has left its traces in the landscape. Old forests, country roads and homesteads will paint you a picture of the past. As an added bonus, 2 hiking routes take you through the enchanting landscape of the valley of the ‘Bosbeek’, an area with soft sloping hills, humid swamps and clear water of the ‘Bosbeek’.

Fietsen en wandelen door het Nationaal Park - Fietsen

Fietsen en wandelen door het Nationaal Park

Uitkijktoren - Uitkijktoren

Uitkijktoren

EnergyVille - 1

EnergyVille

EnergyVille unites several research institutions for sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. EnergyVille strives to rank among the top five in Europe in the field of innovative energy research. It concerns a major redesignation of the former Waterschei mining site.

Terril en picknickplaats Thor Park - Picknickplaats Thor Park
Copyright Kris Van de Sande

Slag heap and picknick spot Thor park Waterschei

The spoil tips in Genk are real beacons in the landscape. Do you know how they came about? These ‘mountains’ consist entirely of piles of waste rock removed from the different layers of the coal veins. If you see a spoil tip, there used to be a mine in the vicinity! These ‘waste mountains’ unexpectedly created their own microclimate, enabling you to discover a wide range of unique plants and animals over there today. The spoil tip was declared a protected landscape in 1999. You can climb to the very top. Don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes.

Thor is a very special urban park, noted for (among other things) its various cycle trails, footpaths and picnic spots. It’s a relaxing environment for employees on the site, but also for those living round about and for visitors who want to experience the area’s natural beauty.

Christus Koningkerk - Chirstus Koningkerk

Church of Christ the King

The Church of Christ the King, a so-called ‘mine cathedral’, is located in the garden suburb of Waterschei, near Waterschei coal mine. The colliers would come here to pray for their safe return and to seek comfort when a fellow miner failed to do so. The church was designed by Gaston Voutquenne and built between 1935 and 1936. It is a yellow brick cruciform church with a distinctive tall, slender tower crowned with a dome. The concrete skeleton has anchored the church, like the headframes, in the landscape for many years.

Thor Central - Thor Central

Thor Central

Thor Central is an impressive industrial building which was given listed status after the closure of the mines. The option of turning the site into a technology park came up when looking for a new and meaningful use for Waterschei colliery, one that would give this magnificent building a bright new future.
Thor Central is now the beating heart of the Thor Park site. The Food Plaza is worth a visit in its own right, with the Partaasch restaurant and Lampada brasserie open to the public every day. The building is also well equipped for corporate events with meeting rooms, an auditorium, central reception and even a crèche. Exhibitions and events are organized here on a regular basis.

Steenmannetjes - Steenmannetjes

Little stone men

On the path to the right of Thor Central, 12 little stone men or small piles of basalt mark the shortest route to the top of the spoil pit. The principle is simple: you walk from one heap of stones to the next. Everyone will come across them at some point, suddenly and unexpectedly. And you are duty-bound to add your own little stone man!

Wandelen in Thor Park - Wandelen in Thor Park

Walking in Thor Park

The 30-hectare Thor Park is part of the magnificent Hoge Kempen National Park. You can explore the park either on foot, or by bike using the Limburg bicycle network. The Schansbroek (stream), the Klaverberg (inland dunes) and the Kolenspoor (coal railway) are all nearby. The remarkable landscape is a combination of rare flora and fauna, magnificent industrial mine buildings and the garden suburbs. Hence the application for their classification as UNESCO world heritage.
Thor Park’s old Waterschei spoil heap, made up of waste rock adjacent to the coal seams removed during coal mining, is a nod to Genk’s rich mining history. In 1999 the spoil tip was given listed status, but you can still climb it. Just follow the little stone men to the top. You can contribute your own little stone man. At the top of the tip, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the impressive colliery and the KRC Genk football stadium.
To make the Thor Park area accessible to the public, eleven new walks ranging from 2 to 16 km have been mapped out. They are outlined in the handy THOR PARK map of walks, a total of more than 40 km of signposted footpaths. Information about the area is also provided. The map is available from F&B outlets at Thor Central, the main building on the site next to the C-mine Visitor Centre, or online via the National Park webshop.

Mijndepot Waterschei - Mijndepot bezoek

Mijndepot Waterschei

Fancy a unique visit to the Waterschei mine building? You can! Go on a trip in spring and summer with a former mine worker. He intersperses the tour with his personal stories. You will learn all about Genk's rich past and its mine site during the exhibition ‘Mijndepot’ with film and image material and objects from the mine.

The Arch - The Arch

The Arch

The Berlin artists’ collective ConstructLab designed a wooden construction and lived in it for four months while developing a building brick from plastic waste. Genk citizens, visitors and chance passers-by were invited to make a brick from plastic bottle tops which were used to cover a 7-metre-high, participatory artwork called ‘The Arch’.

Thor Park Waterschei - thor 1

Thor Park Waterschei

Heritage and nature converge in Thor Park. Begin your visit at Thor Central, the main building on the site of the former Waterschei colliery, before setting off to explore the surrounding area with its imposing spoil heap, footpaths lined with little stone men and attractive picnic spots.
The 30-hectare Thor Park is part of the magnificent Hoge Kempen National Park. You can explore the park either on foot, or by bike using the Limburg bicycle network. The Schansbroek (stream), the Klaverberg (inland dunes) and the Kolenspoor (coal railway) are all nearby. The remarkable landscape is a combination of rare flora and fauna, magnificent industrial mine buildings and the garden suburbs. Hence the application for their classification as UNESCO world heritage.
Imposing spoil heap
Thor Park’s old Waterschei spoil heap, made up of waste rock adjacent to the coal seams removed during coal mining, is a nod to Genk’s rich mining history. In 1999 the spoil tip was given listed status, but you can still climb it. Just follow the little stone men to the top. You can contribute your own little stone man. At the top of the tip, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the impressive colliery and the KRC Genk football stadium.
The 11 walks map
To make the Thor Park area accessible to the public, eleven new walks ranging from 2 to 16 km have been mapped out. They are outlined in the handy THOR PARK map of walks, a total of more than 40 km of signposted footpaths. Information about the area is also provided. The map is available from F&B outlets at Thor Central, the main building on the site next to the C-mine Visitor Centre, or online via the National Park webshop.

Casino Modern - Casino Modern Waterschei

Casino Modern

Don’t be mistaken, Casino Modern has nothing in common with Casino Royale. You will not find any roulette or poker tables here. The ‘casinos’ built by the mine managers served as community buildings and meeting houses of the mining region. Casino Modern is nowadays a theatre with boxes and a foyer and a workshop for visual artists (FLACC). The building also features a café and an exhibition space.

Tuinwijk Waterschei - Tuinwijk

Tuinwijk Waterschei

When you walk through Waterschei garden city, you will discover just how much of a cultural melting pot Genk truly is. Go for a stroll through the middle class suburbs in the mine cities and discover in the main shopping streets a huge variety of shops, restaurants and clubs from the different nationalities that have coloured Waterschei garden city over the years.

Stalenstraat - Stalenstraat

Stalenstraat

Stalenstraat was constructed to connect the mine with the garden suburb in the heyday of black gold. As such the street attracted a great deal of pedestrian traffic and became a flourishing commercial and entertainment centre. You’ll still find small shops of every description, including ethnic fruit and vegetable shops selling Greek and Turkish specialities. A feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds! The many cultural clubs of various nationalities add a further touch of colour to this convivial working-class street.

Oekraïens-katholieke Kerk - oekraïens-katholieke kerk

Ukrainian Catholic Church

The Ukrainian Catholic community purchased an empty lodge called ‘Terminus’ belonging to Waterschei coalmine and turned it into the Josyf Slipyj centre to a design by E. Lambrechts. The space for the congregation and the altar space are separated by an iconostasis painted by Sister Elisabeth of the ‘Vita et Pax’ priory in Schoten in 1960. The Byzantine-style stained-glass windows were made by Armand van Rompaey between 1990 and 1992.

Mijnkathedraal Sint-Albertuskerk - Mijnkathedraal zwartberg

Zwartberg Mine Cathedral

One of the nicest examples of architecture from Genk's mining past is the mine cathedral. Be sure to have a walk inside, as it was designed by Henri Lacoste, one of the leading architects of his time.

Go back to the golden years of the mines. In those days the mining companies in Limburg had churches built in all the cities. You immediately understand why they were given the name 'cathedral'. They are true giants. The majority are made of brick, with the exception of the Winterslag cathedral, which is made of natural stone.

What you need to make sure you see in Zwartberg mine cathedral are the crystal stained glass windows by Val-Saint-Lambert. These are not the usual glass in lead, but massive chunks of coloured crystal. As a result, people from Genk also call the mine cathedral 'the church with 7,000 sparkling crystals'.

Wandelen in Duinengordel: Donderslag - Ven Ruiterskuilen in Ophovenderheide (Donderslag)

Wandelen in Duinengordel: Donderslag

Tuinwijk Zwartberg - Tuinwijk Zwartberg

Zwartberg City Garden

The garden city – often referred to as a ‘cité’ - built in Zwartberg was a copy of the garden suburb in Seraing [Province of Liège]. The plan consisted of a circular ‘square’ - Place Cockerill - with a statue of industrialist John Cockerill. This was the Cité-Noord (North) where the mine’s executives had their houses. There was a clear hierarchy between the Cité-Noord and the Cité-Zuid (South), which consisted of small workers’ houses. They all had a garden, of course, because garden suburbs had to earn their name! The two cités were separated by a railway line.

Hoevenzavellaan - Hevezavellaan Zwartberg

Hoevenzavellaan

Under the influence of the mines Hoevenzavellaan became an important commercial street in Genk and a multiculinary working-class street in Zwartberg. Thanks to its tapestry of diverse cultures, it boasts a wealth of multicultural food shops selling herbs and spices, tapas, fresh pasta and heavenly wines... They include a large number of Greek outlets, so if you come shopping in Hoevenzavellaan you are guaranteed a taste of the sun on your plate! Anyone for a souvlaki?

Mijnmonument in Zwartberg - Mijnmonument Zwartberg

Mine monument

Did you know that on October 1st 1966 Zwartberg was the first of the seven Limburg mines to be closed? Industrial heritage was not a hot topic at the time so the whole plant was mercilessly razed to the ground. However, to commemorate it a mine monument was placed on the concrete slab which covers Shaft II. It features five mineworkers standing on and around the symbolic headframes. They embody the men who came to work in the mine from every corner of Belgium and Europe. Their descendants made the Zwartberg district their home and still live there today.

Smakenexpeditie - Eet het Landschap

Nature tasting

Have a guide take you on a special tour to discover all of the tasty treats found in nature (including taste samples!).

Wandelen in Duinengordel: Oudsberg - Oudsberg

Wandelen in Duinengordel: Oudsberg

Ontdek de Vennestraat: Straat van de zintuigen - Vennestraat muurschildering

Discover the Vennestraat

What makes Vennestraat so special? The diversity! The cross-fertilisation of cultures has resulted in the creation of atmospheric restaurants, cafés, traditional and specialised shops, galleries and creative undertakings. Thanks to the mines’ cultural injection, this street has become Winterslag’s cosmopolitan artery.

Je ticket voor een ruimtereis - 360° shows in Kattevennen

Je ticket voor een ruimtereis

Het Stenenpad - Kattevennen - stenenpad Kattevennen

Het Stenenpad - Kattevennen

Wandelgebied Kattevennen - Startbord met overzicht van wandelen aan Toegangspoort Kattevennen

Wandelgebied Kattevennen

The hiking routes starting at ‘Kattevennen’ are the ideal connection between the centre of Genk and the National Park. The vast pine forests are an excellent environment for an intensive walk. Due to the presence of the Botanical Park, the sundials of the ‘Molenvijver’ park and the Path of the Planets, it is also an educational trip.

Examples of possible trips are: following a “wooden plank path”, hiking to the ‘ecoveloduct’ (an ecoduct for both fauna and cyclists), and many more.

Het Planetenpad - Kattevennen - Planetenpad Kattevennen

Het Planetenpad - Kattevennen

Cosmodrome - Cosmodrome 1

Cosmodrome

If you are fascinated by the vast universe, then head for the Cosmodrome in the Hoge Kempen National Park in Genk where the high-tech, 360° projection room will take you on a spectacular, star and comet-studded journey into space, past, present and future. A breathtaking experience, whether you are 6 or 66!

1 ticket = 3 experiences
And don’t forget the permanent exhibition, ‘The Big Bang’. Starting right at the beginning of the cosmos, 13.8 billion years ago when the concept of time didn’t exist, it traces the evolution, from the Big Bang to the present day.
To finish, you are taken to the observatory, which is equipped with an exceptionally large telescope and a 360° automatically revolving platform. When the weather is clear, you can even observe the sun.
For the film programme, consult the calendar on the website.
Tip
In Kattevennen you’ll find a picnic spot with a difference just behind the Visitor Centre. Named Corpus, it was designed by nature artist Will Beckers. Visitors sit cheek by jowl in a large mown circle, cocooned by a sculpture made of corten steel and tree branches. A unique experience!

Emile Van Dorenmuseum: Huis van landschap en kunst - Emile Van Dorenmuseum

Emile Van Dorenmuseum: House of landscape and art

Late 19th century, the Brussels landscape painter Emile Van Doren built villa “Le coin perdu” on the hillside overlooking the Molenvijver pond.
Today this villa shelters the Emile Van Doren museum and tells the story of the old landscape painters and the artist village Genck in 1840-1950.
The museum does not only show old landscape paintings, it also commissions contemporary artists who are inspired by today’s landscape.

Wandelen in Kattevennen - wandelen in Kattevennen

Wandelen in Kattevennen

C-mine designcentrum - Designruimte

C-mine Design Centre

The C-mine design centre provides a platform for inspirational design projects by young designers as well as established companies. Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar so as not to miss the exciting design exhibitions and shows regularly held here.

Fietskaart Genk 2019 - Fietsen Thor Park

Cycling map Genk 2019

Flanders’ greenest city is conducive to outdoor activity. Choose from one of three circular cycling routes which take you through some of the most beautiful parts of Genk. Thanks to the clever junction system, it takes no time at all to cycle from Genk city centre to the verdant outskirts… or vice versa! Along the way, you pass all Genk’s main sights, so either take your time or whizz along, as the mood takes you.
Attractive picnic spots, bicycle-friendly accommodation and places of interest are all marked on the map.
Copies of the free cycling map outlining the three circular routes are available from C-mine Visitor Centre, from bicycle hire outlets and the place where you are staying.

Mijnspel ONDERsteBOVEN - ONDERsteBOVEN

Game Upside Down

During the restoring of the mine building in Winterslag, we found an old archive cabinet of the mine police with investigation files on mysterious events.

Upside Down is a treasure hunt on which you will get to know Winterslag garden city in a fun way. If you get through the various tasks properly, you will find the solution to the riddle.

Tuinwijk Winterslag - tuinwijk winterslag

Winterslag garden city

Inspired by the garden cities he had seen in England, in 1911 at the request of mining pioneer baron Evence Coppée II, the Brussels architect Adrien Blomme designed a ‘total concept’ for Winterslag that combined city and country. The design for Winterslag garden suburb, a first for Belgium, was structured around major elements like the railway station, church and mine. The planting of parks and gardens and tree-lined avenues was also integral to the plan.
The C-mine discovery map outlines a 4-kilometre walk through this charming green residential area in the vicinity of the colliery.
Priced at €5, the discovery map is available from the C-mine Visitor Centre during opening hours.

Klankroute Songs for a Landscape - Songs for a landscape

Klankroute Songs for a Landscape

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