The best cycling routes around Hasselt

Super Great

The gem of this beguinage is the Saint Agnes Beguinage Church. It was built in three phases between the 13th and 16th centuries. Late Romanesque and early Gothic, it still stands proudly in the middle of the square today.

A beautiful woodland chapel with a few benches inside for relaxing and unwinding. Next to it is a lovely building especially for birds.

The wedding hall, located in the rectory, can accommodate 30 guests (including children) and the couple themselves. You can also take beautiful wedding photos in the beautiful garden, under the magnificent entrance gate, and by the authentic building.

The cyclist carabiniers initially defended Halen, which was soon captured by the Germans. The Belgian troops then withdrew to the western edge of Halen, bordered by the railway embankment, where they set up machine guns. The cyclists withdrew a second time, towards the IJzerwinningshoeve (Iron Extraction Farm), where the main Belgian force was stationed. But just after crossing the sunken road of the Betserbaan (where the monument stands), the German cavalry launched a charge, trapping the cyclists between the Belgian defenses in the IJzerwinningshoeve and the advancing German cavalry. The cyclists were literally caught between two fires and suffered significant casualties. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Halen Battlefield, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/300946

The carabinier cyclists earned their nickname because of their speed. Besides a rock from Elsenborn, where a training camp has been located since 1893, there is also a wooden cross behind the monument with the inscription "To the dead, Aux morts, Den Gefallenen" (To the dead, Aux morts, The fallen). The "European cross" was erected during the 75th anniversary commemoration in 1989 as a tribute to all the fallen, along with the planting of a weeping willow. A plaque with the inscription "Zwarte Duivels/ 12-08-1914" (Black Devils/12-08-1914) is attached to the large natural stone rock from Elsenborn, and in front you'll find the Black Devils' symbol. The information board tells you more about them and the role they played. In the video below, at 1:30, you can see the account of Private Jozef Declercq of the first battalion of the carabinier cyclists. Not about the firefight, but about the erection of a barricade on the road from Halen to Zelk. And you immediately see that the Black Devils performed various tasks in the defense of Halen, aided by farmers and civilians in this agricultural region. Halen itself was quickly captured, however, followed by the battle at the monument (see below). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaWUl2tI3xY

Take a tour of the 19th-century distillery, where you can follow the distilling process firsthand. See all the jenever memorabilia: bottles, shot glasses, posters, etc.

In 2019, the Lourdes Grotto Committee and the Niel-bij-As parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of their Lourdes Grotto. It is located on Grotstraat (how could it be otherwise). In 1943, Louis Pillards made a solemn promise to Our Lady to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, but due to the Second World War, he was unable to fulfill his promise. Therefore, he decided to build their own Lourdes Grotto together with his wife Anna Vandeurzen. Anna Berger-Vandeurzen, whose first husband had died and was now married to Louis Pillards, donated the necessary land to the parish, and Louis drew a design sketch for the grotto. Together with a number of volunteers, they traveled by horse and cart to collect pebbles from the heathland on the border between Lanklaar and As. Construction began in 1943, and the grotto was blessed in 1944. Thanks to the Zwartberg mine, they obtained the necessary cement, which was very difficult to obtain in those days. Statues of Mary, Bernadette, and even an angel were provided. In the small tower atop the grotto, there even hung a small bronze bell, which was unfortunately later stolen. On August 15, 1944, the Lourdes grotto was solemnly blessed by the then pastor of Niel, Father Gerstmans. From the very beginning, a grotto committee was established, which to this day ensures the maintenance of the Lourdes grotto and its surroundings, in collaboration with the municipality's technical department. For a long time, Mia Haumont and later Godelieve Meysen took care of the altar and the flowers. In the early years, a hermit even lived in the cottage behind the grotto for a few years. He is known as Brother Boniface. His real name is Tony Vissers. For many years, he was involved in the education of the local youth. The closeness of the Lourdes Grotto to the hearts of many Niel residents is evident in the large attendance at the services, which normally take place on May 1st and August 15th. There is an open-air service at the grotto, followed by a vehicle blessing on August 15th. On the evening of August 14th, there is also a candlelight procession from the church in Niel to the grotto. In May, it is traditional to pray the rosary together at 7:30 PM. This year, we will do this from our homes, united in faith! Want to stop by on your daily bike ride? The Lourdes Grotto in Niel-bij-As is located on the route between cycling junctions 40 and 528.