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Sint-Aldegondislaan zn, 3570 ALKEN

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De Noord-Limburgse Teutenkamer - Teutenkamer

The North Limburg Teutenkamer

The Teutenkamer provides a general idea of the history and significance of the Teuten.

Teuten heritage is rare, yet after very intensive research, an exceptional patrimony has been brought together thanks to the cooperation of various Teuten families and heritage associations.

Many small but interesting pieces of heritage are exhibited in the Teutenkamer: portraits of Teutens (Agten from Eksel, Kenis from Overpelt, Rijcken from Hamont), photos of individual Teutens, as well as group photos, Teuten objects, including copper kettles in various sizes and weights, working materials, cash books bound in parchment and many loose documents, including the well-known Teuten contracts.

One spectacular piece is a porcelain pipe from the Teuten Peeten family in Eksel, depicting a Teutjager (Teuten hunter). The Teuten walking stick, with its built-in blade, the measuring rod, the castrating knife and the gold weighing scale also appeal to the imagination.

Other masterpieces include the Borkelse Teut Heuvels notebook, containing instructions on castrating cattle, the little prayer book written by the Teuten woman Joosten in Gouda, the mala fide booklet 'De Teuten' by Pieter Ecrevisse, written in 1844 and portraying the Teuten as ‘buckriders’, or the book of poems by the literarily gifted Teuten son Jan-Matthijs Ballings, published by the Maeseycker Weekblad.

The eye-catcher is the pop-up Teuten shop, including the original cash register-counter, used by the Hamont Teuten company Ballings-Joosten-Keunen in Harmelen (NL).

The Teuten heritage also consists of monumental Teuten houses; there are dozens of well-preserved examples in Hamont-Achel, Hechtel-Eksel and Sint-Huibrechts-Lille, some of which are listed buildings. There are six Teuten houses on the market square in Hamont.

Huis Nagels - Huis Nagels 2

NAGELS HOUSE

Experience the upstairs-downstairs atmosphere in this notary house dating from 1892, full of architectural and historical style elements. Both the façade and the interior of this 19th-century notary house give visitors a unique view of the eclectic interplay of architectural styles and their style elements. The visitor is guided in the spirit of the belle époque with the apotheosis of a surprising visit to a few private rooms, located on the first floor. In addition to the Gothic and Louis XV interiors, especially the 'Salon de Musique' in Egyptian decor style makes this experience unique. A wonderful example of late 19th century Egyptomania. A 90-minute upstairs-downstairs trip to the 19th century fin-de-siècle.
The tour ends in the staff cellars with its octopus-fuel cellar, a rare relic of modern heating in the 1900s.

Every visitor receives a nice surprise.

In June 2015 Huis Nagels was one of the sets for the recording of the TV fiction series 'Chaussée d'Amour' (VTM).

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.

Sint-Barbarakerk - Sint-Barbarakerk

Saint Barbara church

The church was built by the order of the mine company and was designed by architect Auguste Van nieuwenborg from Uccle. It is dedicated to Saint Barbara, patron saint of the miners. the Church was built in neo-Gothic style as a building filled with brick walls of reinforced skeleton . The Church is 56 metres long and has a 53 metre high tower. The red and blue in the beautiful stained glass windows was initiated on the red and blue in the glass windows of the Cathedral of Chartres.
The Saint Barbara Church is only accessible at Eucharist celebrations or with guide. This is the Foundation to book through Heritage Eagle

Geleide bezoeken in Villa Verbeelding - De Sprookjeskamer
© Boumediene Belbachir

Villa Verbeelding

Looking for a group visit? Villa Verbeelding offers kids quests, workshops and guided visits for permanent and temporary exhibitions. Every room in this white villa surprises you with another perspective on books and llustration.

The educational programme is suitable for different ages, from preschool kids to teachers in training. Also a discovery for people who learn Dutch! Visitors with a guide get an interactive tour and a creative workshop.

All year long for groups, reservation necessary. Duration: 1,5-2 hours.
Info: www.villaverbeelding.be

Vakwerkhuizen - vakwerk

Half-timbered houses

Nowhere in Flanders is the concentration of buildings constructed in flint as large as in Sint-Martens-Voeren and Sint-Pieters-Voeren. A beautiful collection of half-timbered houses can be found mainly in the hamlets of Veurs, Berg and Einde.

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.

TESEUM: schatkamer - Schatkamer Teseum

Teseum: treasury

Tongeren is one of the most ancient religious sites in the Low Countries with a major church treasure of the Basilica of Our Lady. It comprises numerous valuable pieces of religious art such as reliquaries, reliquary pouches, gold and silverwork, medieval choir books, and rare textiles.

The museum is located in the historical setting of the unique Romanesque tower and chapter house of Our Lady’s Basilica. In addition to a presentation of the historical church treasury, topics such as liturgy, saints, relics, and the chapter house are also included. With a walk-through “music box,” visitors may view and even listen to centuries-old scores. The museum story ends with the coronation festivities, the link to today and the current tradition.

And there’s more! You’re invited to an exclusive tour of the adjacent Romanesque cloister and lovely monastic garden, one of the city centre’s hidden treasures.

You will make a tour with a multimedia guide (iPod), a digital tool brimming with stories that will enthral young and old, as well as providing the information sought by real history enthusiasts. The multimedia guide is available in 4 languages.

Kolenspoor - kolenspoor beringen

COAL TRACK

The ‘coal track’ was the transport connection between the coal preparation plant and the port, and cut straight through the mine city. This amazing track is still intact, but these days provides entertainment for cyclists and walkers. Along the way you can read the whole story of the ‘black gold’ track

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.

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.

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.

Leyssensmolen - Leyssensmolen

Leyssensmolen

Coming to Lommel on a city trip? Then make sure the centuries-old Leyssensmolen is on your to-do list. This important attraction is a corn mill with a very colourful history, and you can take that quite literally. Each year the mill is decorated for the Molenfeesten, or Mill Festivities.

After being built in Olmen in 1797, the 26 tonne Leyssensmolen went on to be relocated no less than three times! Its sails now soar in Kattenbos, where you can relax on the lawn or the picnic benches around it. Keen to discover more of the mill’s secrets? Look no further! During the open days, passionate millers will show you how the mill works and tell you more about its history.

Tip: after your visit, be sure to pick up a bag of traditionally ground flour to take home!

Erfgoedwandeling Donderslag - Bos en heide

Donderslag heritage walk

Discover the hidden past of the Donderslag. The area with forests,
heathland, fens, overgrown inland dunes, and old avenues has a rich history. Discover traces of the past that you would pass by, completely oblivious to what’s there.
Download the free Heritage app to take this walk.
Distance: 8km
Parking: Donderslagweg, 3670 Oudsbergen

Begijnhofkerk - Begijnhofkerk

The church of the Béguinage

This late Romanesque - early Gothic church boasts a rare and magnificent series of 38 murals and pillar paintings dating back to the 13th-17th centuries. Together with the oldest complete church organ in existence in Belgium (by Christian Ancion, 1644), these paintings amount to an impressive piece of world heritage.

Den Draad - Den Draad

The Wire of Death

The Wire of Death. This is how the high voltage frontier barrier was known, a weapon used by the Germans in World War I, installed along the entire border between the Netherlands and Belgium in Beverbeekse Heide nature reserve. The fence has not been forgotten even after more than 100 years. In Hamont-Achel, special signs lead to a reconstruction of this terrifying fence, which for 180 km, from Vaals to Cadzand, carried a voltage of 2,000 volts or more.
The reconstruction at pole number 174 and cycling node 216 on the original border line accurately shows what the fence looked like over a distance of 200 metres. ‘Den Draad' (The Wire), as the phenomenon is still called in the local dialect, took a heavy toll on the lives of residents living on the border and the monastic community of the Achelse Kluis was not spared either, as it is located on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium and was literally split in two by the barrier. If you examine the wall at the main entrance to the abbey, you can still spot traces of it in the brickwork.

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.

C-mine expeditie gezinsspel 'Waar is Cyriel?' - Waar is Cyriel de krekel?

Family game 'Where's Cyriel the cricket?'

Armed with an expedition belt and booklet, you and your whole family go on a quest to learn who Cyriel is and what he is up to in the mine of Winterslag. Unravel the mystery and who knows, maybe you’ll receive a medal as a souvenir of this special tour!

The game can be played during the opening hours of C-mine expedition, at your own pace. It lasts on average 1.5 hours and is suitable for children six years and older. The expedition booklet contains extra craft pages to get started with at home.The game is played in the C-mine expedition and is suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years. (Only in Dutch and French).

Een wandeling door het Genk van de twintigste eeuw. - Monument ter ere van de gesneuvelde Russische krijgsgevangenen op het kerkhof van Genk.

A walk through Genk in the twentieth century.

Genk changed in the twentieth century from a quiet rural commune into one of the most important industrial poles in Flandres. Neel Doff, a writer was an important witness of the beginning of this evolution. We talk about Russian prisoners and English pilotes. How did people live in the fifties in a garden suburb. And how did the car industry shape the city in the sixties.

Im haus 1942 - sfeerbeeld3

BELEVINGSHUIS IM HAUS 1942

Im Haus is an experience house dedicated to living history. Numerous dioramas take you back to how life was in Belgium at the time of the Second World War. All this happens under the guidance of the guide who explains the depicted situations and brings some interesting stories back to life. In the many rooms, time-related items and numerous mannequins in appropriate Second World War costumes will be on display.

Attention: only on reservation through www.imhaus1942.be

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Steenmannetjesroute - Steenmannetjespad

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!

Napoleonsmolen - Napoleonsmolen

Napoleon Mill

The Napoleon Mill, built in 1804, is the oldest stone smock mill in Limburg. It is not only a grain mill, the annex also houses an oil mill. Thanks to volunteer millers, the mill can be seen in action on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 1 February to 30 November. And every Tuesday afternoon between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Trudopas - Trudopas Abdijtoren

Trudo Pass

Visit 7 monuments with 1 key-pass!
Do you want to visit the several historical buildings, using only one ticket? It is possible! With a TRUDO pass you can visit 7 monuments every day. You can buy the Trudo pass at the tourist office.

The Trudo pass is a flyer with a small city plan where all the sights are marked on. All monuments have a short description in the flyer so you can learn more about there background. With the unique code you can enter all monuments during 1 day, till 05:00 PM.

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.

Regionaal Archeologisch Museum - Romeinse soldaat in RAM

Regional Archaeological Museum

The Regional Archaeological Museum sets your imagination loose. When you walk through the magnificent 17th century doorframe you begin a journey through time. Archaeology takes over. It's a chance to immerse yourself in the often-surprising history of the people of Maasland and Maaseik. Did they know the same fauna and flora as we do now? How did they dress, what did they eat, what tools did they use? You'll find an answer to al these questions.
In 'Object in the spotlight' Musea Maaseik wishes to draw attention to objects in their collection that especially appeal to visitors.

Onze Lieve Vrouw Geboortekerk Ham - Onze Lieve Vrouw Geboortekerk

Onze Lieve Vrouwe Geboortekerk Ham

The church tower is the oldest in the country. The lower, stone section dates back as far as the 10th century. On 11 May 1940, the church burned down completely and was only rebuilt 16 years later. Only the church tower survived the fire and thus still consists of the material used in the year 900: ironstone.

Herdenkingspark - Monumentenpark

Memorial park

Since 2004, the municipality of Ham has had an official memorial park. This site, around the themes of war and violence, brought together all the war memorials of the boroughs. The park also houses a permanent display of some collection pieces of the Royal Museum of the Army and Military History.

GlazenHuis - GlazenHuis

GlazenHuis

Contemporary glass art lovers simply cannot miss GlazenHuis on their visit in Lommel. The Flemish Centre for Contemporary Glass Art was founded in 2007 and has since become internationally renowned. Dream the day away at unique exhibitions and fascinating glass blowing demonstrations. Or take on the challenge yourself with the hot, liquid glass!

Admiring glass
GlazenHuis organises two exhibitions each year that showcase artworks by renowned artists from Belgium and abroad. Visitors can expect to see group and solo projects as well as our own unique collection of glass artworks. The exhibition rooms offer a view into the glass studio and access to the iconic spiral staircase: the 30 metre high glass spire is undoubtedly the pinnacle of any visit!

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.

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.

Jenevermuseum - Affiches

Genever Museum

For more than 500 years, genever distillers have been experimenting with ingredients and techniques in search of the perfect variation of genever. Besides the traditional grain genevers, there are also fruit and cream genevers. Nowadays, genever is even used in cocktails. But how do you store, serve and taste genever? What is your favourite flavour? And what is the difference between gin and genever?

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.

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.

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.

Windmolen De Hoop - Windmolen de Hoop

Windmill "The Hope"

Windmill "The Hope" was built in 1870. After having several owners, the mill was shut down in 1968. In 1978 it was protected as a monument. The architecture of the mill, especially the octagonal gallery that served as a storage place, is unique in Flanders and makes the mill extra special. In 2001, the mill came under the management of the volunteers of vzw molen "De Hoop". With this wonderful local initiative in the restoration of the mill into a mill capable of grinding and the reallocation of part of the storage rooms into vacation accommodation.

Guided tour and group visit possible but reservation required.

Duration of the visit: -/+ 1 u

More information: dirk@dehoop.be or www.dehoop.be

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.

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.

Tree of Life - Mark Dion - Tree of Life - Mark Dion
foto Boumediene Belbachir

Tree of Life - Mark Dion

Mark Dion honours Herbricht with new work for Art on the Meuse
The first international artist for the Art on the Meuse (Kunst aan de Maas) project has been announced. American artist Mark Dion has createed a tree of life for the municipality of Lanaken, with animals and objects of relevance to the surrounding area. The target date for completion is 30 June 2022 at the earliest. Also on display is the very first work by Benjamin Verdonck, which can be admired at the Boyen chapel in Dilsen-Stokkem.

Lanaken welcomes Mark Dion
Conceptual artist Mark Dion (New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1961) is bringing years of experience with him to the Meuse Valley. He gained international acclaim for his examination of ecological issues and the perception of nature.

Dion’s work was a deliberate choice by the artistic committee. It aligns with the heart of the project and complements the river landscape in and around Herbricht, which is defined by the Meuse Valley and the Meuse river. During last year’s floods, the area was literally transformed into a refuge for animals. This makes Dion’s Tree of Life even more symbolic.

Dion accepted the invitation and sketched an impressive eight-metre-tall sculpture; a tree of life for animals, insects and objects from the surrounding area. The tree is rich in symbolism yet can be freely interpreted by viewers. It can be seen as an evolutionary family tree, a mythological tree of life that connects heaven, earth and the underworld, or something else entirely. When deciding which animals and insects to include, Dion researched the species that once lived in the Meuse Valley, from ancient sturgeon and the famous Mosasaurus to species that still live here today, like the beaver and the iconic Konik horse. They are all of natural and symbolic value to the area and some even feature in local folklore. Viewers are free to interpret the relationship between these animals.

Ondergrondse crypte - Crypte

Crypt

On the ‘church field’ you will find the underground chapel built underneath the
Romanesque church. In the renovated crypt you can visit some archeological remains.

Basiliek van Kortenbos - Basiliek van Kortenbos 2

Basilica of Kortenbos

Popular place of pilgrimage. The 17th century church is sober on the outside, but ornately decorated with baroque woodcarvings on the inside. Free entrance.

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!

Neanderthalersite - Neanderthalersite

Neanderthal site

The Neanderthal site in Veldwezelt is a unique, protected archaeological site where you can travel through time, as it were. This unique archaeological site was restored, conserved, and opened to the public. The construction of the walls is the only one of its kind in north-western Europe.
During several excavation campaigns between 1998 and 2003, remains of at least
four Neanderthal hunting camps and a flint extraction site were found.

Not only will you get to know the former inhabitants, the Neanderthals, but you’ll also learn about the ice ages and the evolution of the climate. Discover what life was like 80,000 years in the past – a way of life that only ended a mere 40,000 years ago.

Did you know… that the Veldwezelt Neanderthal site was the winner of the 2016 Heritage Award?

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