The best traffic-free bike rides in Natuurreservaat Zwarte Beek - Laren

Mayor Henry Briers unveiled the war memorial on the Gemeenteplein on September 17, 1922. It is the only known memorial monument by the Vilvoorde architect Alfred Minner. The limestone memorial features a gilded bronze Belgian soldier's helmet resting on the Limburg coat of arms and a laurel wreath. Below it, stylized flames on the four sides refer to the 63 houses that were razed by the Germans in 1914. Below that is a small cross. After WWII, the years 1914, 1918, 1940, 1945 were added. At the bottom, we read "Eternally free and happy in peace". On the west side, 14 names of Lummen soldiers who did not survive World War I are carved. On the east side, the names of 4 Lummen civilian victims are carved. On the back, we read 'Henry Briers mayor of Lummen on September 17, 1922'. @https://www.tracesofwar.nl/sights/145587/Monument-Eerste-Wereldoorlog-Lummen.htm

A burial chapel is a small, accessible tomb monument where relatives can pray at an altar. A burial chapel served as a replacement for the tradition of burying in the church. When this was no longer allowed, burial chapels were removed from the side aisles of churches and moved to cemeteries. This burial chapel is built in the Art Nouveau style. This style is characterized by the use of cast and wrought iron, glass, asymmetry, and flowing lines. The animal and plant world are a source of inspiration for the decorations. The burial chapel was erected in 1904 for Henri Van Willigen (1852-1904) and his family. Henri Van Willigen married Marie Louise Glavany de Gonzague (1855-1942). They had no children. They originally lived in Schulen, where Henri was mayor. In 1888, they moved to Het Hamel castle in Lummen, which Henri had inherited from his mother. In 1892, Henri became mayor in Lummen. His memorial plaque is located in the burial chapel. There is also a memorial plaque there for Faustin Glavany, Marie Louise's father. The couple had a significant influence on life in Lummen. Among other things, they also had the bandstand on the Gemeenteplein built. In 1970, the cemetery around the Church of Our Lady of the Ascension was closed. This means, among other things, that no more people may be interred in the burial chapel. The associated burial vault was therefore filled in. In 2002, the burial chapel was protected as a monument by ministerial decree. @https://www.lummen.be/grafkapel-van-willigen-glavany

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)

The Sport Vlaanderen Heusden-Zolder Velodroom Limburg is a sports complex with a cycling track, four sports fields in the central square, and a gymnasium. Since 2023, it has been one of the two cycling tracks in Belgium, along with the Sport Vlaanderen cycling center in Ghent, suitable for major international track cycling competitions.

Nice walk

No, this isn't a duplicate; this is the future and the present. Because the Zolder circuit will now become Park Terlaemen. And besides the circuit and the velodrome, this means the following will be added: a bicycle bridge from the towpath OVER the circuit to here, a rooftop restaurant, office space, a gaming and VR center, a paintball court, a climbing wall, a playground, and several padel courts. Read more at https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/07/08/circuit-zolder-park-terlaemen-belevingspark/ Besides the velodrome (which you can find here), cyclists will also be able to visit the 'Cycling Experience Center'. There will be an agility course, as well as bike repairs and rentals. Prefer a video impression? Check out https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=689523350752179

There is a spacious car park at the velodrome that hikers can also use.

In the summer you can cycle through a cornfield here.