The best running trails in Natuurreservaat Zwarte Beek - Laren

De Winning is a socially inclusive enterprise that works towards a labor market where there is a place for everyone. People who cannot (or not immediately) get a job in the regular labor market are guided and coached here, so they can develop their talents and employment opportunities.

O.C. Sint-Ferdinand was founded in 1895 by the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity. After the first brothers arrived in Lummen on November 11, 1895, they opened a home for boys with behavioral problems on October 24, 1896. The children were trained as tailors, shoemakers, carpenters, and ‘the men of the farm’. In 1902, 50 children from the court were also admitted from the ‘Hospital’ in Sint-Truiden. The vocational department subsequently expanded to include, among others, typesetting and operating printing presses, bookbinding, baking, laundry, brewing, and butchery. In 1924, Sint-Ferdinand was transformed into a medical-pedagogical institute for ‘educable’ mentally handicapped children, the first in our country. A detailed history of the institute can be found on this website: https://sintferdinand.be/organisatie-sint-ferdinand/historiek/.

With a view of Het Vloot...

One of the many beautiful views of Schulens Lake...

In Lummen, the Harmonie Sint-Cecilia was founded in 1848 by Baron Henri-François de Zerezo de Tejada, who lives in Het Hamel castle. In the first few years, rehearsals were held in the castle. In 1861, the baron died, and Eugène Van Willigen, the baron's son-in-law, took over the chairmanship. Meanwhile, within the harmony, the demand grew for a permanent rehearsal space and, more importantly, for a kiosk where they could organize music competitions and hold concerts. In 1885, Henri Van Willigen took over the chairmanship after the death of his father, Eugène. It was Henri Van Willigen who, together with his wife Marie Glavany, had a kiosk erected on the village square. The couple bore the costs themselves. Its inauguration took place on August 14, 1887. The initials of the donors and the year of construction can still be found on the kiosk's walls (HWMG 1887). Henri Van Willigen, who later also became mayor of Lummen, and his wife are still buried in Lummen in the burial chapel next to the church. For the construction of the kiosk, knotty oaks were mainly used, an oak species that is still frequently found in Lummen today. The characteristic lyre was already mounted on top of the kiosk at that time. The roof itself was covered with straw. But during the fireworks for the Halfoogstkermis sometime in the 1930s, the kiosk's roof burned down. The roof was therefore replaced with slate. In 2009, a thorough renovation of the kiosk began. The original straw roofing was reinstated, and the wooden beams were renewed. The original wooden lyre on the roof was replaced with a gilded replica. To preserve the kiosk's authenticity, the structure was also deliberately placed askew. The original kiosk was, after all, also askew. On April 25, 2010, the renovated kiosk was officially inaugurated. @https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiosk_(Lummen)

The old late-medieval Gothic church of Lummen was located in the same place as the current church, but oriented east-west. It was demolished around 1865 to make way for the current Neo-Romanesque Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a three-nave basilica built from 1870 to 1872. Inside the church, you can find a Romanesque baptismal font from the 12th century and a solid copper lectern with a base of white Carrara marble (1642). The Neo-Romanesque painting has only been partially preserved, the stained-glass windows date from 1911 and 1913. The church organ has been protected as a monument since 2004. The tower and the facade of the church were renovated in 1993. @https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/waarnemingsobjecten/164383 & @https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onze-Lieve-Vrouw_Hemelvaartkerk_(Lummen)

A charming little restaurant with a large terrace and a beautiful view of Schulensmeer lake. The terrace is the perfect place for visitors to share their stories.

The Schulensmeer is the largest inland lake in Flanders. Numerous benches invite you to take a break.