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Sint-Aldegondiskerk

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Sint-Aldegondislaan zn, 3570 ALKEN

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Sint-Pietersbandenkerk - Kerk

Sint-Pietersbanden Church

Sint-Pietersbanden Church transports any visitor to the heavens. Just a glance at this protected monument instantly reveals the different centuries in which the church was built: the neo-Gothic nave fits in nicely with the late-Gothic church tower. You can enjoy the carillon concerts here every Wednesday afternoon.

The church tower was built around 1480 as a proud testimony to a prosperous town. But the thanks goes to the sheep, because it was the annual proceeds from the local wool trade that financed the church tower, soon earning it the nickname the ‘wool tower’. In total it is 40 meters tall, with a 17 meters tall spire and has 57 marlstone masks. The church building is a little younger, from around 1900-1903, and is known for the interior decoration by Vincent Lenertz: the monumental organ, the stained glass windows by Gust Ladon and restored murals by Adolphe Tassin depicting the life of Peter, the saints and the angels.

Mijnterril be-MINE - terril 2

TERRIL 2 - NATURE WALK WITH A WONDERFUL VIEW!

The second slag heap or ‘terril’ in Beringen is reserved for nature. What was once a pile of stones and rubble has been transformed into a hill with open spaces and woods.
Footpaths take you as high as 100 metres and treat you to some stunning views

Glasshop - Glasshop

Buying glass

Pop into the Glasshop! There you will find beautiful vases, jewellery and other glass objects to suit anyone’s wallet. All made with love by the glassblowers to their own designs.

Keramiek Galerie Piet Kerkhof & Heleen dekkers - Keramiekgalerie Piet Kerkhof & Heleen Dekkers

Ceramics Gallery Piet Kerkhof & Heleen Dekkers

Piet Kerkhof and Heleen Dekkers have been giving pottery and modelling courses for over 30 years. On the one hand, the ceramics class accommodates beginners who want to fill a pleasant morning or evening with creative activity. On the other hand, advanced students can rely on solid and professional guidance.
There is a choice between spinning on the wheel or modelling.

The ceramics gallery is located in the countryside of Northern Limburg in a former farmhouse surrounded by a beautiful garden.

The gallery can be visited individually or in groups by appointment. Registration for a course or workshop can be done by email or telephone.

Oudste privéapotheekmuseum van België - Apotheek

The oldest private pharmacy in Belgium

Six generations of pharmacists sold pills, ointments and medicines at this location between 1704 and 1959.The wealth of herbs in the drawers spreads a wonderfully pleasant aroma. Thomas Botti welcomes you to his colourful 18th century pharmacy. He was the first pharmacist compelled to keep his poisons behind lock and key. For instance, the Belladonna powder, which was popular among young women looking for a husband, was kept here. And the golden pills that reflected your status in the community Curious about more secrets of this pharmacy.

Kapel van Helshoven - Kapel van Helshoven

Helshoven Chapel

Already in the middle of the 13th century the hamlet of Helshoven was a regional place of pilgrimage where Our Lady of Peace was venerated.
The Helshoven Chapel, located on the old Roman road, was founded in 1254. Later, a hermitage was attached to it. The last hermit died in 1908.
The present chapel dates from 1659.

Untitled #158 - pit - Aeneas Wilder - foto Kristof Vrancken

'Untitled#158' - Aeneas Wilder

Aeneas Wilder (UK) builds an architectural structure in the landscape near the Monastery of Colen in Kerniel. The round construction with a magnificent 360° view is aligned with uniform vertical wooden slats. Entering the artwork is a special experience that refers to religion and reminds you of walking around a monastery. According to the artist, Aeneas Wilder, his work functions as a lens through which the visitor can focus his or her thoughts and emotions against the backdrop of the landscape around Kerniel.

On display: permanent
Location: Abbey Mariënlof (Monastery of Colen) Colenstraat 1 Kerniel-Borgoon
Access: parking facilities provided

Pit, een pittig project, voor groot en klein - Pit voor kids

"PIT", art in the public space, fun for young and old.

You really do not only find art in dusty museum rooms.
During a nature hike there is suddenly a work of art in front of you. That is what we call art in the public space. In addition, there are a lot of things you can do in nature that you are not allowed to do in a museum.
You can walk, talk, play, shout ... Even touching the works of art is allowed!
At the Borgloon tourist office, you can get a collection of to-do and sightseeing tips that you can use with every work of art.

Keijersmolen - Keijersmolen

Keijersmolen

This stone hill or belt mill dates from the late 19th century. The mill mechanism was completely preserved. The mill is still in operation.

Museumkerk Oud-Rekem - 2

Museum Church

The Museum Church is located at the place-to-be: Groenplaats in Oud-Rekem. After a difficult and lengthy start, the church was finally reopened in 1774. In 1956, when it become clear that the church was not large enough to accommodate the increasing numbers of parishioners from Rekem and Wezet, the decision was made to build a larger church in Kleinveld. After having been the centre of Rekem's parochial life for two centuries, the old parish church was taken over by the municipal authorities that same year to be turned into a museum.

Under the motto ‘A church becomes a church again’, the interior was restored to its original grandeur. Following a thorough renovation in 2015, it can once again be admired in all its glory.

Reading between the Lines (Gijs Van Vaerenbergh) - pit - Gijs Van Vaerenbergh - foto Kristof Vrancken

Reading between the Lines - Gijs Van Vaerenbergh

One of the eye-catchers of the PIT project is the see-through church by the Belgian architect duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh (Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh). Reading between the Lines is 10 metres high and consists of 100 stacked layers of steel plate in the shape of a small church of Loon.
The construction weighs a whopping 30 tons. The special way of construction makes the landscape always visible throughout the church, from far away and up-close. The church is therefore present but also absent in the landscape.

Historisch Centrum Luchtmachtbasis Brustem - museum luchtmachtbasis brustem 2

Brustem Air Base Museum

This small museum located in one of the abbey’s wings has an interesting exhibition about the history of the former military airport in Brustem. Photographs, pictures, images and items of the airbase are displayed here and tell visitors the story of the Belgian presence, the occupation by the German Luftwaffe and the American USAAF-period. Since 1974 the Belgian Airforce has trained its pilots in Brustem.

Op stap in de Vennestraat met het gratis boekje Soul Food - Vennestraat

Free booklet ‘Food&Co' in Vennestraat’

Vennestraat starts in the shadow of C-mine, literally. It is Genk’s cosmopolitan artery, with its restaurants and cafes, specialised shops and galleries, and its fresh market every Saturday. Together, C-mine and Vennestraat offer an exciting pairing: while one inspires and fascinates, the other offers relaxation and enjoyment.

Over the past few years, and with lots of loving attention, Vennestraat has transformed into a street full of sensual delights. It’s a street that invites you to wander and stroll, and to sample its mouth-wateringly delicious popular foods.

Where to go if you want your choice of 18 types of pasta? What’s the name of that place where they have that traditional Belgian miners’ beer on tap? Where can you take a bite out of those delicious Genk-style cookies? The free booklet ‘Soul food in de Vennestraat’ guides you to shops, cafes and restaurants with origins all over the world. From a Turkish supermarket over a Greek restaurant or an Italian specialty shop to a cozy Flemish coffee house. The booklet comes with a handy map, a brief description of each business and tips for fun day trips, such as art galleries, pop-up shops or antiquing – it’s all listed in here.

Pick up your free booklet at the C-mine visitor reception desk.

John Selbachmuseum mét poppenmuseum - Selbachmuseum

Time travel at the John Selbach Museum

The John Selbach Museum is made up of two sections.
Painting and furniture collection
The John Selbach Museum is located in the former Ursuline Cloister on Boomgaardstraat in the centre of Maaseik. The first section holds the extensive collection of paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, depicting interiors, townscapes, still lives, landscapes, seascapes, animals and portraits.
In many ways then wandering through the museum, visitors take a cultural trip through the museum, visitors take a cultural trip through time. That impression is strengthened by the period rooms from the Renaissance to Biedermeier. The interiors and the zeitgeist are preserved there, too, as visitors are invited tot take a trip back in time.

Dolls and toys
As well as this imposing collection of paintings and furniture, the former cloister also houses hostess Corinne's Doll Museum.
The Doll Museum used to be in Maastricht. Some dolls are made from wood, but there are als dolls made from papier mâché, wax, fabric and biscuit porcelain. Mirroring the paintings set-up, the rooms housing the dolls are furnished in contemporary styles. There are 17th and 18th century period rooms, kitchens and fashion salons. The dolls are exhibited alongside accessories, such as miniature furniture, dinner services, tin toys, teddy bears, trains and other knick-knacks.

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.

NAC-toren - Aanduiding NAC-toren

Climb up the NAC-tower (New Administration Center)

This futuristic and at the same time sober, ecological and extremely functional building is located on the old mining site and houses among others the municipal services, the OCMW (Social Service Department), the library, VVV-Toerisme and the police. The observation point on the roof of the building's blue tower, an artistic spot with an extensive view over this community and the region, is called ‘het Oog van Daubechies’ ('the eye of Daubechies').

This tower is named after a resident of Houthalen-Helchteren: Ingrid Daubechies. In the stairway enclosure you will find more information on her brilliant and famed mathematical formulas.

Climb up this tower and enjoy a 360 ° view.
You get an entrance card and a binoculars at the Tourist Office by showing your ID-card.

Children are only admitted under the supervision of an adult.

Memento (Wesley Meuris) - pit - Kunstenaar Wesley Meuris
Foto Kristof Vrancken

Memento (Wesley Meuris)

Memento is a sculpture at the Central Burial of Borgloon.
The artwork of Wesley Meuris (BE) is an anchor point in the sloping landscape and invites visitors to step in.
The architectural structure of the work provides a special experience of looking and dwelling. The steel built space can be interpreted in many ways by the visitor and challenges the imagination.
Whoever is in the room, experiences the intimacy. This reflects the memory of its surroundings.

Kruisherenkerk Maaseik - Kruisherenkerk gevel

Kruisheren church

The restored Kruisheren church was built in 1767 and is the only church in Limburg to have a Rococo interior.
Tours led by official guides every Sunday between 15.00 and 17.30 May to September.
Mass: Saturday 18.00 and Sunday 8.00 and 10.30.

Spoorwegviaduct - spoorwegviaduct

Railwayviaduct

The railway viaduct dominates the villagescape of Sint-Martens-Voeren. The viaduct spans the Voer Valley and is part of the railway connection Antwerp-Tongres-Aachen. The railway line was built in the First World War. Two kilometres further on, at the hamlet of Veurs, the railway line enters a tunnel that, at 2130 metres, is the longest in Belgium. Since 1958, only goods trains have used the line. In Remersdaal, the railway viaduct also occupies an important place in the landscape.

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.

Eregalerij Charles Wellens - Wellenshoeve

Eregalerij Charles Wellens

Het Kruinenpad - Kruinenpad

The Kruinenpad

As of the dike of the Zuid-Willemsvaart, you will leave for a unique adventure, literally being ‘a high-level experience’. The Tree Crown Path passes through the crowns of the trees and is a real elevated bridge installed in the mine subsidence area. This unique trail provides a privileged view of the remarkable consequences of the mine subsidence in a beautiful setting. But your eyes will also be popping out of your head with all those birds and insects between the trees. The Kruinenpad is 181 meters long.

The Kruinenpad is located between cycling junctions 48 and 55.
Do you want to discover the Kruinenpad on foot? Follow the red-blazed trail (14km) from RivierPark Maasvallei, departing from Leut.

Do you want to visit The Kruinenpad by car? Park in parallel at the end of Kerkhofstraat in Eisden-Dorp and walk towards the canal dyke. Attention! Do not park past the barrier even if it is open.

Free admission.
Open every day, from sunrise till sunset.

Terril - 1

Terril

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.

App 'Kolenspoor' - Kolenspoorapp

App 'Kolenspoor'

"Ciao bambini! We're Fabrizio and Martino - like the bun - and we're going to take you on a tour of the Coal Train. Will you join us?"

At Tourism Beringen, you can get the Coal Track app, an interactive walk that introduces you to the stories surrounding the Coal Track. Two good-humored Italian friends, Fabrizio and Martino, take children and their parents with them and pepper the tour with fun assignments and games. Pay attention, because they like to fool you and are not afraid to make a joke!

You can borrow a tablet with the app for free at the tourist information office between 10 am and 3 pm. Distance: approx. 5.5 km. Duration: approx. 2 hours

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.

Guided tours in Villa Verbeelding

Enter Villa Verbeelding and discover a world full of words and images. Imagination and the pleasure of reading are key words in this white villa, where books come to life in every room. Go on an interactive journey through various exhibitions on books and illustrations.

Do you want to visit Villa Verbeelding with a class or group? Book an interactive guided tour, with or without workshop.
All year long for groups - reservation necessary - duration: 1,5 - 2 hours.

Proef- en Vormingscentrum voor de landbouw - Proef en Vormingscentrum voor de landbouw

Agricultural Experiment and Training Centre

The PVL was founded in 1989, with practical research into fodder crops and the stable infrastructure for pigs and dairy cattle as its core tasks. Later, this was also extended to projects on agricultural nature management and small-scale water purification. PVL also manages an extensive range of after-school training: courses, practical lessons and study tours on cattle breeding, vegetable cultivation, fodder crops and farm management.

What is there to see?
- Dairy farm: cows are milked with a robot.
- Pig farm: this is the only farm that can be visited in a sanitary and safe manner, as the stables are equipped with a visitor's corridor
- Water purification street: here, various systems of KWZ (Small Scale Water Purification) are set up.
- Children's farm

C-mine expeditie - C-mine expeditie panoramakijker

C-mine expedition

Are you planning a visit to C-mine on the former mining site in Genk? Then you cannot pass by the interactive C-mine expedition! This adventurous tour will immerse you in fascinating tales about the mine and will indulge all your senses. An impressive fan welcomes you on a surprising route through underground passages. Take up the challenge and climb up the pit head which is over 60 metres tall! Once you are on top, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the green Limburg surroundings.

Citéwandeling Winterslag - tuinwijk winterslag

In the wake of Jefke Tuf - Winterslag company town walk

The Winterslag garden district was the heart of the mine’s physical and social network. Sister Marie-Josephe was an integral part of this. She nursed the sick, cared for the weak and listened to everyone’s problems. The powered bicycle she rode around on earned her the nickname 'Jefke Tuf'. Follow in her wake around the garden district.

The C-mine discovery map outlines a 4-kilometre walk through this charming green residential area in the vicinity of the colliery.
Priced at € 1, the discovery map is available from the C-mine Visitor Centre during opening hours.

Sint-Gilliskerk - Sint-Gillis

Sint-Gillis church

Small hall church in an early 18th century Baroque style with a 13th century Gothic west tower in Meuse Gothic. This location used to be an important place of pilgrimage in honour of the emergency saint Saint Gilles

Turkse Moskee - Turkse Moskee

Turkish Mosque

The minaret of the Green Mosque, which was built in one day, is twenty metres high. A minaret belongs on a mosque, just as a tower belongs on a church. The Turkish community sees it as a symbol of their meeting point for prayer, cultural and educational activities.

A local guide provides the tour in this Islamic house of prayer, which was set up next to the pump housing of the former water tower at the highest point of the 'Meulenberg' mining quarter.

The lovely interior with terrific pulpits and elegantly tiled niche that point towards the East (Mekka), is a reference to Oriental Art.

Museum K-blokken en Oscarkapel - MKOK - MKOK (Museum K-blokken en Oscar kapel)

Museum K-blokken en Oscarkapel - MKOK

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’.

C-mine compressorenhal - Compressorenhal

Compressor Hall

In the heyday of black gold, the Compressor Hall was the pounding heart of the mine enterprise. In a sense it was also its lungs for at the time it housed the winding mechanism and the compressors, which (among other things) supplied the underground shafts with fresh air. So what happened in this space was of vital importance to the miners down the pit!

Glasatelier GlazenHuis - Glasoven

Creating glass

The glass studio is a breeding ground for creative talent. A vast array of glass artworks are created here using varied, centuries-old techniques. Keen to try a glassblowing or glass casting course yourself? The glassblowers will teach you the tricks of the trade during a workshop or multi-day course. From introductions to glass blowing and glass casting to advanced workshops, there is something for everyone.

Academiezaal - Academiezaal

Academy Hall

Academy Hall - Architectural gem

Behind the Abbey Tower you find the entrance of the Academy Hall. The 19th Century Hall was designed by Louis Roelandt. The octagonal auditorium with dome has amazing acoustic qualities and is now the home for many exclusive concerts and literary happenings. It also has an amazing interior with beautiful stucco.

Open from April 1 till October 31, only during the weekends from 02:00 PM till 05:00 PM. Closed from November 1 till March 31.

Romaans Kerkje Wintershoven - winterhoven

Romanesque church of Wintershoven

This Romanesque church is one of the first Christianization sites in Haspengouw. Saint Amand founded a church and monastic community here in 647. Inside you will discover the relics of the Wintershoven saints, a unique Celtic sacrificial altar and a roll-out pulpit.
In 2020, the church was restored, and the pulpit was put away. At the moment, all visitors can admire the moving pulpit again.

Nieuw Administratief Centrum (NAC) - NAC

NAC (New Administration Center)

In Houthalen-Helchteren the past goes hand in hand with the future. As symbols of two major periods, they stand out over our community: the pit heads and the New Administrative Centre (NAC), which has even made it onto the list of ‘100 places in the world that you just have to see’.

This futuristic and at the same time sober, ecological and extremely functional building is located on the old mining site and houses among others the municipal services, the OCMW (Social Service Department), the library, VVV-Toerisme and the police. The observation point on the roof of the building's blue tower, an artistic spot with an extensive view over this community and the region, is called ‘het Oog van Daubechies’ ('the eye of Daubechies').

This tower is named after a resident of Houthalen-Helchteren: Ingrid Daubechies. In the stairway enclosure you will find more information on her brilliant and famed mathematical formulas.

Torenverplaatsingsmuseum - Torenverplaatsingsmuseum

Tower relocation museum

Under the leadership of engineer Weiss and contractor Morglia, the Bocholten people jacked their church tower 2 cm from its foundations in 1910 and moved it 9.4 metres. A feat that has earned the Bocholten people the proud nickname of "tower crusaders".
All your questions about this will be answered during a visit to the Tower Replacement Museum. Photographs, plans and objects give you a clear view of the tower relocation of 1910.

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