Summary of Beringen’s Attractions
Located in the Kempen Basin, the city of Beringen experienced a mining boom that flourished briefly in the aftermath of the Second World War before rapidly diminishing.
In the Koersel district, Beringen possesses the largest industrial heritage site in Belgium, spanning over 100,000 square metres.
Among all the former mining facilities in Belgian Limburg, this complex uniquely retains all of its industrial infrastructure, including cooling towers, headframes, administrative buildings, slag heaps, a large washery, workers’ residences, and a power station—these remnants narrate the city’s rich history.
The site, now referred to as Be-MINE, is not merely a museum but presents a dynamic blend of modern leisure attractions, housing developments, and shopping facilities revitalizing the historic colliery.
1. Be-MINE
Like many areas within the Kempen basin, coal mining in Beringen was a phenomenon of the 20th century.
Mining operations commenced shortly after the First World War, reached their zenith in the period following the Second World War, and concluded with the closure of the last mine in the city in 1989. This history has left Beringen with tangible remnants of its industrial past, characterized by substantial slag heaps and architectural structures ranging from towering headframes to the grand central office and the massive cooling towers and coal washery.
Efforts to dismantle this heritage faced considerable opposition, leading to the preservation of all but the more recent sections of the washery.
The remaining structures have evolved into an expansive leisure, cultural, and residential complex known as Be-MINE, featuring a mining museum, diving centre, swimming complex, climbing facility, nature reserve, and commercial park.
2. Vlaams Mijnmuseum
At the museum housed in one of the former office buildings, ex-miners serve as guides, providing unique insights into the coal mining industry in the Kempen Basin.
The Flemish Mine Museum offers a thorough exploration of the historical context surrounding coal mining.
Visitors begin with a geological overview of the carbonization process, spanning peat, lignite, and various types of coal.
Information detailing the rapid changes following the discovery of coal in Kempen and the recruitment of laborers from the Mediterranean as well as Central and Eastern Europe to support the workforce in this predominantly rural region is also available.
Scale models representing the extensive site and compelling narratives about miners’ leisure time, alongside accounts of the unrest that accompanied mine closures in this region, are part of the exhibition.
A particularly notable feature is the replica mining longwall located in the basement, which retains visible structural pillars.
Every first Sunday of the month is designated as Mijnzondagen, where guided tours of areas typically off-limits, such as the shower block and salary hall, are conducted.
3. Alpamayo Climbing Centre
The former power station at Be-MINE has been ingeniously converted into an impressive indoor climbing facility, named after the renowned Alpamayo mountain in Peru.
Alpamayo accommodates both novices and children, along with experienced climbers.
For those who have already developed skills such as belaying and grip technique, there is approximately 1,300 square metres of climbing walls extending up to 18 metres, complemented by a substantial bouldering area.
The climbing hall accommodates up to 50 rope groups and offers approximately 150 diverse climbing routes.
Additionally, the centre provides a Clip ‘n Climb service, allowing children to enjoy a secure and entertaining climbing room under the guidance of an instructor for a 90-minute session.
If you are waiting for a friend or family member, a café is situated in the former control room of the power station, providing a view of the climbing activity.
4. Recreatieoord t’Fonteintje
Adjacent to the village of Koersel, within Beringen, lies a recreational area that developed around the pilgrimage chapel of t’Fonteintje (the fountain). This chapel dates back to the 1830s and is situated next to a spring that became revered after the tale of a man who, lost in the heathland and parched, stumbled upon the water.
The story recounts that he was miraculously restored to health and placed an image of the Virgin Mary by the spring in gratitude.
The highlight of the associated recreation space is a 30-metre observation tower, providing expansive views over the Kempen landscape from its elevated position.
At the base of the tower, visitors will find mini-golf, a splash pad, a playground, and camping areas designated for youth organizations.
5. Sportoase
A striking new swimming and leisure center at Be-MINE greets visitors beneath the shadow of the former mine’s cooling towers.
Sportoase offers a visually appealing design, integrating seamlessly with the historical industrial structures and serves as an accessible and enjoyable family activity throughout the year.
It features a 25-metre pool intended for serious swimming, along with a leisure pool equipped with two slides, a teaching pool, and a designated area for toddlers.
On the dry side, Sportoase boasts a fitness and dance studio, along with four sauna facilities.
When the weather is warm during summer, an outdoor pool with a sun terrace and a children’s water playground is also available.
The facility’s brasserie serves as a central gathering point for the entire Be-MINE area, providing memorable views.
6. Adventure Mountain
Transformed from one of Beringen’s slag heaps, this site now features an extraordinary adventure playground and obstacle course unlike any other.
To facilitate access to this artificially created hill, a forest of 1,600 wooden poles has been installed.
To enhance the enjoyment of younger visitors, the slopes incorporate slides, rope courses, crawl tunnels, and a variety of other play features.
Engaging interpretation boards and viewpoints further enrich the experience, culminating in a breathtaking panorama of the mining complex and the Kempen countryside from its summit.
7. Sint-Pietersbandenkerk
The parish church located in the heart of Beringen serves as a monument to the unceasing turmoil that has impacted this area since the 15th century.
The original Sint-Pietersbandenkerk was destroyed by the Burgundians in 1467 and subsequently burned down during the Eighty Years’ War in 1584; it was again razed by Lorraine troops in 1654. A Baroque reconstruction was completed in 1695, later adorned with neo-Gothic modifications following the collapse of the tower in 1838. The oldest components of the structure include the choir, transept, and vestries dating back to the 16th century. Notably, any observed iron sandstone, as opposed to brick limestone, indicates the remnants of the Medieval Demer Gothic church first destroyed in the 15th century.
Visitors will encounter exquisite woodcarvings from the Baroque reconstruction period throughout the altars, paneling, and confessionals.
Additionally, crucial viewing points include the choir stalls, communion rails primarily from this period, the high altar painting of Christ on the Cross by Erasmus Quellinus II (1607-1678), a range of 16th and 17th-century statue works, and distinctive Baroque tombstones within the choir.
8. Vallei van de Zwarte Beek
For peaceful countryside walks, Beringen offers several accessible options.
The Vallei van de Zwarte Beek stands out as the prevalent destination, comprising a 1,300-hectare nature reserve situated along the banks of the Zwarte Beek stream.
This valley includes pastures and meadows framed by oak woodland higher up, transitioning to lower areas characterized by fens and peat bogs reaching depths of eight metres.
The habitat supports a variety of elusive passerine bird species including the bluethroat, tree lark, and black woodpecker.
For those interested in learning more about the valley’s ecological significance, informative displays are available at the De Watersnip visitor centre, approximately a 15-minute walk from Beringen’s centre.
The centre serves as a starting point for a multitude of walks, including a boardwalk traversing the swamp and a “stimulus path.”
9. ZLDR Air Factory
For those particularly interested in industrial heritage, the Heusden-Zolder colliery, located slightly to the east, represents an excellent next destination.
This site marks the last coal mine in Benelux, having halted operations in 1992, and is now the answer to an intriguing question you may have pondered.
Have you ever wondered how miners were able to breathe in tunnels located 800 metres below the surface? Answers await you at the restored central compressor room within the lift shaft building, which houses the original air pumping machinery, accessible free of charge.
The site also provides an insight into what it was like to enter a seemingly endless shaft.
Numerous buildings at the Heusden-Zolder colliery have since been granted protected status and were restored in the 2010s.
A cafeteria housed in the bathhouse and a newly established square within the complex hosts various events, including a multicultural market held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
10. TODI – The Ultimate Diving Experience
Among the recent attractions at Be-MINE is an indoor diving centre, providing an extraordinary underwater experience featuring 5,000 tropical fish spanning 30 distinct species.
This center offers an ideal and regulated environment for families wishing to try diving for the first time. Additionally, for those staying longer, there are opportunities to pursue international indoor or open-water diving certifications.
As of 2020, the cost of a single dive during peak hours is €37 and €30 during off-peak times, with all necessary equipment available for rental at €12. Alternatively, TODI offers snorkeling experiences, equipped with full-face masks to prevent fogging.
Divers may utilize a waterproof sheet to identify the aquarium’s diverse fish species.
For spectators, there is a viewing window to observe their family or friends amidst the vibrant underwater life.
11. Be-MINE Boulevard
Distinctly, the Be-MINE Boulevard represents one of the most unique retail parks in the country, positioned prominently in view of the washery, cooling towers, and headframes.
While modest in size, Be-MINE Boulevard features a selection of both Benelux and international brands, including C&A, AVA, Bent, ZEB, Chaussea, H&M, Vanden Borre, Bel & Bo, and the Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn.
These establishments are arranged in a single structure with a roof that extends over the pedestrian walkway, providing uninterrupted views of the historical industrial monuments.
12. Blueberry Fields
Embedded in the meadows on the Beringen side of the Vallei van de Zwarte Beek lies over 12 hectares dedicated to blueberry fields.
This superfood is harvested around the end of June, subsequently processed into jams, coulis, wine, and even tea sold at the on-site shop.
One of the primary treats is the ice cream complemented with blueberry sauce.
During the narrow window of blueberry season, visitors are also invited to participate in a pick-your-own program. However, for the remainder of the summer, the fields present a pleasant opportunity for family strolls along three marked pathways.
13. Castle Brewery Ter Dolen
Located slightly farther afield, the Castle Brewery Ter Dolen, which has relocated to a once-derelict 16th-century castle in the 1990s, is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts.
In 2008, Ter Dolen garnered the prestigious “Erkend Belgisch Abdijbier” (Recognized Belgian Abbey Beer) label and produces an acclaimed selection of beers including blond, bruin, tripel, kriek, donker, and koperblond.
The adjacent bar in the orangery features a delightful terrace for summer and a cozy fireplace for winter ambiance.
Guided tours are offered on weekends and public holidays at 15:00, lasting approximately 45 minutes, which elaborate on Ter Dolen’s brewing methods and the history of the castle.
14. Bosland
A short distance north of Beringen is a unique project in Flanders, where more than 5,100 hectares of forest have been developed into a recreational area for walking, horseback riding, and particularly cycling.
Visitors can experience Bosland on the Fietsen-door-de-Bomen (Cycling through the Trees) path, starting from junction 272 of the regional cycling network.
Amidst the century-old coniferous Pijnven woods, which were originally planted for the mining industry and have never been felled, lies an innovative circular cycling bridge.
This bridge, spanning 700 metres in length and 100 metres in diameter, gently ascends to a height of 10 metres, allowing for an extraordinary view over the forest canopy.
15. Remise 56
A historic depot building from 1907, originally serving the Diest-Koersel steam tram, has been repurposed as the microbrewery and Grand Cafe, Remise 56. The beer menu features a mild blond tripel, a rich dubbel, and the refreshing Superpils.
These selections are served at the Grand Cafe and are also incorporated into certain dishes, such as the beef stew prepared with the dubbel.
Additionally, a variety of salads, pasta creations, and hearty fish and meat options, including steak and fish and chips, are available, all set against the backdrop of stunning copper brewing kettles.
For those curious about the brewing process at Remise 56, a tour and tasting occur every second Sunday of the month at 15:00.
