Summary
The capital of Belgian Limburg is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly city characterized by a flourishing fashion scene, captivating street art, and picturesque countryside at its borders.
One notable nearby location is Herkenrode Abbey, where the remaining structures provide insights into the grandeur of an establishment that ceased to exist over two centuries ago.
The historical city center, bustling with shops, brasseries, and cafes, is predominantly pedestrianized and is situated beneath the spire of Sint-Quintinuskathedraal.
Former monastic buildings and historical townhouses have been transformed into museums dedicated to fashion, literature, the city of Hasselt, and the traditional liqueur, Jenever.
On the outskirts, one can retreat into the serenity of Europe’s largest Japanese garden, an exquisite outdoor museum, a significant arboretum, and pastures grazed by Galloway cattle.
1. Herkenrode Abbey
This Cistercian monastery operated for 600 years, from the late 12th century until it was dissolved during the French Revolution.
While the original church was destroyed in a fire in the 19th century, most of its artwork has been preserved, with some located at Hasselt’s town museum.
Over two centuries later, many of the outbuildings remain intact, including the gatehouse, mill-house, and a tithe barn.
In recent years, the tithe barn has become the location for a visitor center offering a chronological exploration of the abbey’s history and insights into the abbesses who managed large land holdings during the Medieval period.
The expansive English garden, planted with exotic trees in the 18th century, still exists, along with a contemporary herb garden opened in the 2000s featuring over 450 labeled herb varieties.
The abbey’s grounds serve as a starting point for exploring the countryside west of Hasselt, where visitors can rent bicycles to discover the area.
2. Japanse Tuin
The largest Japanese garden in Europe embodies the friendship between Hasselt and its Japanese sister city, Itami in Hyogo Prefecture.
The Japanse Tuin, a 2.5-hectare extension of Kapermolenpark, was designed by landscape architect Inoue Takuyuki in the early 1990s.
As one might expect, the garden is replete with symbolism, featuring a bubbling creek, a zigzag bridge (Yatsuhashi), a waterfall, and a stone lantern (Yukumi-Doro). The Ceremonial House, constructed using traditional materials such as bamboo, stone, and clay, complements the garden’s aesthetic by reflecting beautifully in the pond.
This structure incorporates centuries-old cooling techniques, such as extended eaves that block direct sunlight from entering.
Visitors can feed the koi from the “pebble beach” next to the pond, while tea ceremonies are frequently held at the garden’s tea house, complemented by an autumn chrysanthemum festival.
3. Bokrijk
Located just fifteen minutes from the city center and approximately halfway to Genk, Bokrijk encompasses land purchased by Herkenrode Abbey in the 13th century.
Although the abbey’s farm was sold off after the French Revolution, many outbuildings remained intact, and a Neoclassical house was completed by the end of the 19th century.
In the 1950s, part of the estate was transformed into an open-air museum.
Bokrijk is distinguished by nearly 150 historic buildings, some in their original locations and others relocated from various regions of Belgium, arranged according to their geographical origins.
The oldest of these structures dates back to the early 16th century, and while the emphasis is primarily on agriculture, visitors can also explore a school, an inn, a church, and buildings representing diverse trades.
Approximately 30,000 artifacts provide insights into daily life spanning from the 1600s to 1950, with costumed staff enhancing the experience.
Additionally, the site boasts an arboretum that houses one of the nation’s largest plant collections, which, along with a conservatory, is organized into ornamental gardens focusing on ferns, Mediterranean flora, and “Scents and Colour.”
4. Sint-Quintinuskathedraal
Much like many historic churches, the Sint-Quintinuskathedraal has a complex construction history and was designated a cathedral upon the establishment of the Diocese of Hasselt in 1967. Historical records indicate that a church has existed on this site since the 8th century, with remnants of an 11th-century Romanesque church visible in the substructure of the current tower.
Between the 13th and 15th centuries, the cathedral adopted a Gothic style, beginning with the early-Gothic tower completed around 1250. A restoration effort in the 19th century provided the church with its modern stained-glass windows and murals painted by Hasselt artist Godfried Guffens.
Noteworthy features include the late-16th-century Niehoff organ and a painting from Herkenrode Abbey that depicts a procession with the 17th-century abbess Barbara de Rivière and her sisters accompanying the sacrament.
A small carillon museum also houses keyboards from the 1700s and provides an exhibition detailing the bell-casting process.
5. City Centre
The first aspect that stands out in Hasselt’s historic center is the walkability of its streets, a quality that has garnered the city significant acclaim: In 2004, Hasselt was named the “most sociable city in Flanders.” The principal shopping thoroughfares are Demerstraat and Koning Alberstraat, while the more refined shopping can be found along the smaller Hoogstraat and Kapelstraat.
Grote Markt, situated southwest of the cathedral, is lined with cafes and brasseries, while one of the city’s most renowned historic homes, the half-timbered Het Sweert (1659), graces its western side. For a tranquil retreat, seek out the landscaped Kadettenpleintje, tucked along the passageway Kadettensteegje, just off the tourism office on Maastrichterstraat.
On Groenplein, the town hall (up until 2018) dates back to the late 17th century, while the oldest secular structure in the city is the Renaissance-style refuge house for Herkenrode Abbey, constructed in the mid-16th century.
6. Nationaal Jenevermuseum Hasselt
The juniper-flavored spirit Jenever is an integral part of Hasselt’s cultural heritage, so much so that a dedicated festival is held for the beverage every October.
Beginning in the late 18th century, a distillery was established in a beautifully restored brick building that was once part of a Franciscan convent, evidenced by the name Witte Nonnenstraat.
Distilling ceased at this location in 1971, after which the building was designated as a protected site by royal decree.
The Jenever Museum, which chronicles this traditional drink’s history, opened in 1987 and underwent renovations in the 2010s.
Visitors can explore the courtyard, malt tower, germ attic, mill room, boiling room, bottling facility, distiller’s residence, and oxen stable, where by-products from the distilling process were used for feeding.
Various artifacts are on display, including labels, antique posters, shot glasses, bottles, stoneware, and ceramic items. At the conclusion of the visit, guests can enjoy a tasting session in the tasting room.
7. Het Stadsmus
Two distinguished patrician houses situated at the corner of Maastrichterstraat and Guido Gezellestraat serve as the site of Hasselt’s city museum.
One structure, the Waerdenhof, was constructed in 1680, while its counterpart, Stellingwerff, dates back to 1857. Within these walls, visitors can explore the history of Hasselt and its inhabitants, delving into the political and cultural developments that transformed this free city in the Medieval County of Loon into the modern capital of Limburg.
Among the many engaging artifacts on display are items from Herkenrode Abbey, including a gilded silver monstrance ordered from Paris by Abbot Aleidis van Diest, which is recognized as the oldest known monstrance in the world, dating back to 1286.
The museum also houses preserved stained glass from the abbey, a handwritten 17th-century compendium of plays, ceramics from Hasselt’s historical manufactory, silver items produced by the city’s 15th-century silversmiths, and much more.
8. Modemuseum Hasselt
The presence of a fashion museum in Hasselt is fitting given the city’s historical prominence in the cloth trade during Medieval times.
Among the upscale fashion boutiques located on Kapelstraat is Jeurissen, which was founded shortly after World War II and has gained significant recognition in the Belgian fashion sector.
To emphasize Hasselt’s credentials as a fashion city, the Modemuseum was established in 1986 within the southern wing of the former Grauwzusters monastery.
Over the past 35 years, the collection has expanded to encompass over 18,000 garments and accessories, dating from 1750 to the present.
Among the esteemed designers represented are Chanel, Versace, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Paul Poiret, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Rather than hosting permanent exhibitions, the Modemuseum organizes two thematic overview exhibitions each year. For instance, during 2019-20, the exhibition “SMUK” highlighted opulent decoration in both contemporary and historic couture, showcasing embroidery, precious stones, feathers, shells, pearls, and sequins.
9. Villa Verbeelding
What was once Hasselt’s literary museum has been revamped into the “Imagination Villa,” primarily focusing on the works of Flemish authors and illustrators.
This charming white townhouse on Bampslaan invites visitors to immerse themselves in the imaginary worlds crafted by various authors, showcasing inspiring and whimsical objects related to renowned children’s and youth authors such as Kolet Janssen and Bettie Elias.
Younger visitors will delight in the exhibition titled Giftige appels op gouden bordjes (poisonous apples on golden plates), which explores themes of food and drink featured in fairy tales, including gingerbread houses, hot porridge, and poisoned apples.
The multimedia exhibition, Van schrijver tot lezer (from writer to reader), elucidates the various stages involved in creating a book, from authorship to prepress, printing, and binding.
Keep an eye on their calendar for readings, workshops, and masterclasses.
10. Oud Kerkhof
Hasselt’s historic cemetery on Kempische Steenweg was in operation from approximately 1800 to 1930 and has held the status of a Belgian protected monument since 2004. This site was established after the city exhausted burial space around Sint-Quintinuskathedraal, leading to an overcrowded and unsanitary situation within the city limits that prompted the French to prohibit burials there in 1796. The Oud Kerkhof features separate areas for Catholic and non-Catholic burials and boasts exquisite sculptures, chapels, and headstones nestled among the willows and cypress trees.
In addition to the impressive architectural elements displayed throughout the cemetery, including stonework and ironwork, many significant burials are present, encompassing governors, mayors, and aristocrats.
The chapel from the 19th century at the center offers insights into the cemetery’s history and interprets some of the recurring symbols found on the graves.
For instance, a tree stump symbolizes a life abruptly cut short.
11. Plopsa Indoor Hasselt
Belgium’s first indoor theme park opened in Hasselt in 2005, providing an excellent entertainment option for young families on rainy days.
This venue is one of seven amusement parks established across four different countries by the theme park division of Studio 100, a Belgian broadcasting corporation that develops children’s shows.
Covering nearly one hectare, Plopsa Indoor features over 20 attractions, primarily themed around characters from Studio 100, including Mega Mindy, Piet Piraat, Samson & Gert, Kabouter Plop, and Bumba.
The facilities are designed for children up to approximately six years old, featuring soft play areas, slides, a ball pool, a carousel, spinning rides, an indoor roller coaster, and bumper boats, among other attractions.
A Studio 100 restaurant and a merchandise store are available on-site as well.
12. Domein Kiewit
Located northeast of Hasselt, adjacent to Bokrijk, Domein Kiewit is a 130-acre nature reserve.
The grounds include a predominantly 19th-century stately home with elements tracing back to the 17th century.
This expansive area features grasslands, pastures, fens, and Medieval ponds, which were acquired by Hasselt in 1953 and include large pastures grazed by Galloway cattle.
The picturesque ponds offer an ideal setting for family picnics, while the mansion houses a children’s farm with domestic animals, complemented by a play area and adventure “play wood.” Colour-coded walking paths meander through the landscape, and maps are available for purchase at the reserve’s office.
Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the Koe-vert Tavern, which sources local, organic, and fair-trade ingredients.
13. Fietsroute Graffiti Street Art
Hasselt takes pride in its captivating and often hyper-realistic street art adorning approximately 80 facades throughout the city center.
The tourism office has created a cycling and walking route to help individuals appreciate this artistic expression.
This area serves as a canvas for some of Belgium’s most prominent street artists and graphic designers, known by aliases such as CAZN, INTI, MYMO, Sneaky Jay, Animalito, Smates, and DZIA.
Each piece of art is documented, and a leaflet including a map provides explanations and information about the artists.
A downloadable PDF is also available from the Visit Hasselt website.
14. Circuit Zolder
During the 1970s and 1980s, the Belgian F1 Grand Prix was hosted at this circuit located about 15 minutes from Hasselt.
Renowned drivers such as Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart achieved victories at Circuit Zolder, which was also the site of Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve’s tragic demise.
As of 2020, the track remains a venue for various racing events, including the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series, the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, and the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
A highly anticipated event each August is the GT endurance race known as 24 Hours of Zolder.
For enthusiasts willing to pay a fee, Thursdays free from events in the summer are designated as International Test Days, offering opportunities to experience the track and receive driving tips from seasoned racers.
The circuit also has a history in cycling, hosting road racing events over the years, including the UCI BMX World Championships in 2015 and 2019. The Flemish Cycling School offers lessons for young cyclists, and every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening year-round, individuals can bring their road bikes onto the track during the Evening Cycle Sessions.
15. Pukkelpop
Belgium’s second-largest music festival takes place in a field adjacent to the Kempische Steenweg dual carriageway in mid-to-late August.
The festival grounds are located approximately seven kilometers from the city center, and the dual carriageway is closed to traffic during the event.
One notable aspect of Pukkelpop is its commitment to minimizing its carbon footprint.
Free camping is available at the festival site, transport to Hasselt from various locations within Belgium is complimentary, and a shuttle service from the train station to the festival is also provided at no cost.
Since its inception in the mid-1980s, Pukkelpop has hosted a stellar lineup of artists spanning rock, alt-rock, indie, and electronic genres, including esteemed acts like Metallica, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Daft Punk, Radiohead, and PJ Harvey.
In 2019, the festival featured performances by artists such as Post Malone, Anne-Marie, The National, Tame Impala, and Billie Eilish.
