Summary
An industrious city located in Belgian Limburg, Genk saw significant mining activity in the mid-20th century, primarily due to its position on the Kempen coal basin.
Although the collieries ceased operations by the 1990s, their striking architectural legacy persists, notably at the C-Mine cultural center and creative enclave, as well as at Thor Park, a contemporary science and business park.
In addition to its industrial heritage, Genk is surrounded by abundant natural beauty, including Belgium’s sole national park and the pastoral setting of Bokrijk, which features a remarkable open-air museum.
In the 19th century, when Genk was merely a village, its countryside, replete with heathland and ponds, captivated several great Belgian landscape painters. The works of the Genk School can be explored at the Emile Van Dorenmuseum.
1. Bokrijk
Situated amidst woods and ponds, this estate west of Genk was home to a farm operated by Herkenrode Abbey from 1252 until the French Revolution.
After the land was sold, and although the main residence was demolished, several outbuildings remained, laying the groundwork for a model farm in the early 20th century.
In the 1930s, this transformed into an open-air museum chronicling Flanders’ cultural and historical heritage.
Today, Bokrijk features nearly 150 structures relocated from various parts of Flanders, the oldest of which dates back to 1507. Visitors can explore various traditional amenities, such as an inn, smithy, and diverse craftsmen’s workshops, all featuring costumed reenactors.
Additionally, the grounds are home to an important botanically diverse arboretum covering 18 hectares, and a large children’s play area with mini-golf and pedal carts.
2. Hoge Kempen National Park
Established in 2006, the 5,700 hectares of elevated coniferous forests and heathlands between Genk and the Meuse River represent the first and only national park in Belgium.
The Hoge Kempen was initially designated for industrial use post-coal collapse; however, in the 1990s, a new policy merged economic growth with tourism, leading to the creation of the national park and an extensive cycling network.
Visitors can enjoy a landscape filled with purple-flowering heather, pine woods, large ponds created by sand and gravel extraction, and elevated areas offering distant views.
Accessing these nature-rich environments is remarkably easy, with over 200 kilometers of cycling trails and 40 walking loops, some extending up to 14 kilometers.
There are six entrances to the park, with the nearest to Genk being the space-themed Kattevennen, which will be discussed later.
3. Fietsen Door Het Water
The most cherished cycling path in Flanders traverses through Bokrijk in Genk.
Fietsen Door Het Water, which translates to “cycling through the water”, is part of a vast paved cycling network combined with “knooppunten” or junctions that facilitate easier route planning through the countryside.
This route lies between nodes 91 and 243 and, upon entering De Wijers pond, descends into a trench below the water level.
This unique design creates the intriguing experience of cycling with the water surface at eye level, especially notable when waterfowl are nearby.
The three-meter-wide path was inaugurated in 2016. If visitors do not have bicycles, rentals are available at Bokrijk for €10.
4. C-Mine
The Winterslag coal mine, one of seven in the vicinity of Genk within the Kempen basin, ceased operations in 1988. In the 2000s, the preserved site was revitalized as a cultural center and incubator for creative industries.
This venue not only serves as a platform for performing arts but also houses numerous creative enterprises, including app developers, art studios, website designers, and equipment manufacturers.
One cannot help but be drawn to the restored colliery site, featuring its refurbished Energy Building and prominent pithead. Visitors can stop by the visitor center to discover more about this extraordinary location.
The C-Mine Expedition offers tours that navigate through the mining tunnels and ascend the restored pithead, 60 meters above the complex.
The former shower building has been transformed into Euroscoop, a modern cinema, and for children, ‘t Speelmijntje serves as a 1,000-square-meter indoor playground, ideal for rainy days.
5. Kattevennen
Located just five minutes east of Genk’s center, this forested natural area marks one of the six main entrances to the Hoge Kempen National Park.
The visitor center and themed trails guide visitors through key universal queries.
For instance, the Planetenpad features a scaled model of the solar system, while the Stenenpad details more than 500 million years of geological history.
At the visitor center, tickets are available for a high-tech show at the Cosmodrome, an extensive 360° movie theater.
Interactive exhibits focused on the universe are prevalent, children can enjoy their own space adventure at the Speelplaneet playground, and a mini-golf course and restaurant, De Krater, are also offered.
6. Emile Van Dorenmuseum
Genk has attracted landscape artists since the 1840s, famous for its Kempen landscape of dunes, heathland, marshes, and ponds reflecting expansive skies.
One such artist was Emile Van Doren (1865-1949), who fell in love with the scenery and settled here in the 1890s, constructing a villa, “Le Coin Perdu,” in 1913 overlooking the Molenvijver pond.
Upon her father’s passing, Emile’s daughter Fanny requested that the villa become a museum, which officially opened in 1976. The exhibits reflect the allure of the local countryside and tell Van Doren’s story.
Visitors can also learn about notable members of the Genk School, who were drawn to the area between 1840 and 1940, and view works by Joseph Coosemans, Isidore Verheyden, François-Joseph Halkett, Edmond De Schampheleer, among others.
7. De Maten
De Maten encompasses 300 hectares of preserved nature southwest of Genk, blending into the Diepenbeek municipality, providing a serene environment for walking and cycling.
Historically, humans shaped De Maten’s landscape by damming the Stiemerbeek brook during the Medieval period, creating an extensive chain of over 30 ponds for fish farming.
Today, De Maten is exceptionally diverse, featuring 13 different habitats protected under European law, including dunes, peat bogs, various heathlands, and oak-birch forests.
The abundant waterways render this a vital site for avian species to breed or rest during migrations, with a prominent bird hide located by the Augustijnenweyer (Augustinian pond) in the southeastern part of the reserve.
8. LABIOMISTA
The city of Genk and transdisciplinary artist Koen Vanmechelen have joined forces on this unique, evolving high-concept project, which is distinctly unlike any experience you may have encountered.
Situated on the site of the former Zwartberg coal mine and the zoo established after its closure in 1966, LABIOMISTA endeavors to harmonize the relationship between humanity and nature, allowing culture and biodiversity to coexist harmoniously, thereby promoting the concept of “biocultural diversity.” Spanning 24 hectares, and inclusive of the mine’s villa and newly built structures designed by Mario Botta, the site showcases monumental indoor and outdoor art installations that interact with live animals.
The park is open from April to November; for adults, the implications of LABIOMISTA for the future are thought-provoking, while children are delighted by the opportunity to explore and observe camels, emus, ostriches, and llamas.
9. Thor Park
The Waterschei colliery in northern Genk operated from the 1920s until 1987, peaking in activity during the 1960s.
The grand Art Deco office building and headframe remain, serving as the focal point for the vast Thor Park.
As of 2020, it is undergoing development as a high-tech science and business park.
Visitors should not miss the opportunity to explore the striking main building, noted for its glass ceiling and the blend of contemporary and early-20th-century design.
A “food plaza” is also in the works to complement the expanding business park.
Outside, guests can explore 30 hectares of natural landscapes along footpaths marked by small stone figures.
These trails lead up the colliery’s sizable spoil tip, providing a panoramic view of the area and KRC Genk’s stadium.
10. Mijndepot Waterschei
While the former colliery is transitioning into a modern business park, visitors have the opportunity to connect with its historical significance at a former warehouse.
A former miner from Waterschei is available to guide guests through the mine’s history and the working conditions that prevailed during its operation.
The Mijndepot features an exhibition showcasing tools and samples of materials extracted over six decades.
During the tour, participants will even have the chance to visit subterranean air shafts, accompanied by a display of captivating photographs and an introductory film that brings this once-bustling mine to life.
The Mijndepot is open throughout the year, daily from April to October, and on weekends during winter.
11. Molenvijverpark
In the 1960s, a wetland area surrounding the old village pond and watermill (Dorpsmolen) situated just east of the city center underwent regeneration.
The wetland was dammed, creating a secondary pond within a 15-hectare park.
Exotic conifer groves were planted along the banks of the two ponds, accompanied by spacious grassy areas featuring picnic tables and barbecue facilities.
In 2000, a garden displaying 12 unique contemporary sundials was established within the park.
The Dorpsmolen has since transformed into De Molen Grill, one of two restaurants located on the park’s west side, alongside a hotel.
Visitors can enjoy scenic views of La Maison Blanche, the villa of landscape artist Armand Laclot, located at Molenstraat 80, from the pond’s banks.
12. Alden Biesen Castle
Dating back to the early 1000s until 1795, this castle, located not far from Genk, served as a provincial headquarters for the Teutonic Order.
The predominant Renaissance architecture of Alden Biesen Castle, built from the 1500s to the 1700s, was restored after significant damage caused by a large fire in the 1970s, when the monument was acquired by the Belgian state.
Alden Biesen is frequently utilized for major events, performances, and significant temporary exhibitions, and the majority of its expansive grounds are free to visit.
For a nominal fee, visitors can also access the commander’s quarters within the moated castle.
The estate boasts a beautiful English landscape park designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century.
The current church was remodeled during the 1630s, yet retains many Medieval features, such as the 13th-century ledger stone of Teutonic order bishop Edmund von Werth (d. 1292) and a 13th-century High Gothic representation of the Madonna with Child.
In front of the church lies an elegant French formal garden adorned with meticulously trimmed boxwood hedges and topiaries.
13. KRC Genk
When this article was written in 2020, Belgian football was thriving, and a significant contributor to the national team’s achievements was the development work accomplished by First Division clubs such as KRC Genk.
Their club colors, “Blauw-Wit,” have nurtured talents like Thibaut Courtois, Divock Origi, Yannick Carrasco, and Dennis Praet, providing a starting point for players like Wilfred Ndidi, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinković-Savić.
During the 2019-20 season, the club successfully qualified for the Champions League group stages, playing at the Luminus Arena, which has a capacity of 23,718.
GoalMine is the name of an interactive exhibition located in the stadium, detailing the history of the Belgian Limburg mining teams from which KRC Genk originated.
On the first Saturday of every month, visitors can also join a guided stadium tour.
14. Karting Genk
Just a few moments outside of town, there lies an internationally renowned go-kart circuit.
Karting Genk has hosted the Gear Kart World Championships twice, in 2011 and 2018, and it was also the venue where a young Fernando Alonso was crowned Junior World Champion in 1996. Notably, no prior experience is required to drive on either of the center’s tracks.
The Fun Circuit caters to children (1m25 and taller) and beginners, featuring karts with a maximum speed of 60 km/h, while the more technical Pro Circuit has a speed limit of 90 km/h.
For convenience, an “Arrive & Drive” session provides 15 minutes on the track for €18. There are also package deals available for extended sessions.
For those wishing to gain further insight, an in-depth three-hour training session is available, featuring personalized instruction at the track where Max Verstappen honed his racing skills.
15. Genk On Stage
Taking place over three days on the final weekend of June, Genk on Stage is a music festival that attracts more than 100,000 visitors.
Attendees come to enjoy over 100 different performances, which is made even more remarkable by the fact that the entire event is free of charge.
Up to nine stages are set up within walking distance of the city center, with the Main Stage located on Grote Markt.
Genk on Stage has been celebrated since 1982, providing a platform for both Belgian and international artists.
Some of the acts featured over the past decade include Sam Bettens, Belle Perez, Daan, Urban Trad, Fixkes, Level 42, Boy George, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, and The Human League.
