Summary
The capital of Belgium’s German-speaking community is situated on the periphery of the High Fens, a plateau characterized by raised peat bogs and moorland at the highest altitude in the country.
Eupen’s identity is still strongly influenced by its historic sheet and drapery industry, which flourished in the 18th century.
The urban landscape boasts a wealth of exquisite Baroque architecture, and the interior of the parish church dating from the 18th century is particularly remarkable.
The Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park, which conserves parts of the High Fens terrain, is an extensive protected area that begins on Eupen’s outskirts and extends into Germany.
At this elevated location, the city lies between two vital reservoirs, Lac d’Eupen and Lac de la Gileppe, which supply drinking water to millions.
1. St. Nikolaus
At the highest elevation of Eupen’s upper town (Oberstadt), the impressive dual towers of the parish church of St. Nicholas dominate the skyline.
Constructed in the 1720s in the Aachen Baroque style, this magnificent three-aisled structure features rustic stonework on the lower section of the southern bell tower, indicating its origins are from an earlier church dating back to the 12th century.
The interior is dramatically styled, showcasing Liège and Aachen Baroque influences, reflecting Eupen’s prosperity during the peak of the woollen cloth trade.
Generous cloth merchants contributed to the stunning high altar, crafted by Aachen artist Johann Joseph Couven (1701-1763). Additionally, the confessionals and pulpit from the 1730s, along with the organ from the 1760s by Liège builder Guillaume Robustelly (d. 1793), deserve attention. The side altars dedicated to Mary and St. Anne were created in the 1770s, while the church’s 84 pews, carved from oak, still bear the names of Eupen’s dignitaries from the 18th and 19th centuries.
2. IKOB
In 1993, Eupen was selected as the venue for an international contemporary art center, owing in part to its strategic location at the crossroads of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
This is the sole art museum in the German-speaking community of Belgium, which anticipates evolving trends in art and has established the IKOB Art Prize, awarded every three years to emerging talents.
At the time of this writing, the museum featured temporary exhibitions showcasing video/installation artist Helen Anna Flanagan and “plastic illustrator” Francis Feidler.
Over the past 25 years, the museum has also developed a collection of works from notable artists including Günther Förg, Patrick Everaert, Jonathan Meese, Johan Tahon, and Guillaume Bijl.
3. Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park
Located south of Eupen is the High Fens, a plateau of raised peat bogs and moorland that formed during the last Ice Age approximately 7,500 years ago.
A significant portion of this landscape is preserved within an expansive cross-border nature park, encompassing nearly 250,000 hectares, of which 70,000 are located in Belgium.
Given its vast area, the Hautes Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park is adorned with a diverse range of scenery, including gentle streams, sweeping broadleaf valleys, reservoirs, and remote villages.
Adjacent to the plateau, Eupen features picturesque countryside characterized by wooded hills and rolling pastures dotted with dairy cattle.
If you wish to immerse yourself in the moody beauty of the High Fens, access to the plateau is just minutes away by car.
At the Maison du Parc-Botrange visitor center, located near Belgium’s highest point, you can learn about this untamed landscape and traverse the bogs on a boardwalk.
4. Lake Eupen
This picturesque reservoir on the outskirts of the High Fens was created by constructing a 63-meter-high dam at the confluence of the Vesdre and Getz rivers between 1938 and 1950. Additionally, the Helle stream feeds the reservoir through a 1.5-kilometer tunnel.
The reservoir spans 126 hectares and supplies water for the Eupen, Spa, and Seraing regions.
Visitors can cycle or stroll around the lakeshore on the RAVeL route established during the dam’s construction.
The dam itself is an impressive edifice that commands awe-inspiring views along the valley.
Facilities also include a visitor center equipped with a café and playground, along with a family-friendly 2.5-kilometer walking trail through the forest.
5. Stadtmuseum Eupen
The distinguished Mosan Renaissance residence, Haus de Ru’s at Gospertstraße 52, serves as a testament to Eupen’s rich cloth-making heritage that thrived from the 16th century onwards.
Since becoming the site of Eupen’s municipal museum in 1980, it underwent a modern renovation in 2019, expanding its space.
The permanent exhibition focuses on the cloth trade, allowing visitors to explore various techniques for producing fine woollen fabrics and the lifestyles afforded to affluent merchants through their sales.
The museum also highlights a pivotal event: a weavers’ uprising in 1821, which transpired following the introduction of a mechanical cloth clipper.
Additional exhibits feature a chronological history of Eupen, a display of carnival costumes, numerous depictions of the evolving urban landscape, and an impressive collection of antique timepieces crafted in the city.
6. K.A.S. Eupen
The local football club, Königliche Allgemeine Sportvereinigung Eupen, was established in 1945 and has spent a significant portion of its 75-year history in Belgium’s lower amateur divisions.
However, fortunes improved in the 2010s when Eupen was acquired by Qatar’s Aspire Zone Foundation (also responsible for Paris Saint-Germain), enabling the “Pandas” to secure a position in the Belgian First Division A.
The league, known for nurturing exceptional football talent, allows visitors to witness burgeoning stars develop their skills at Eupen’s Kehrwegstadion.
7. Park Moorenhöhe
From this viewpoint in the southern part of the city, one can admire Eupen and the lush green slopes of the Hertogenwald that rise behind it.
Paved with stone and bordered by elegant iron railings, Park Moorenhöhe functions primarily as an observation point rather than a traditional park, named after the late-19th-century mayor Theodor Mooren (1881-1905). Mooren is recognized for his dedication to enhancing the city’s beauty, famously advocating for the planting of a tree in every available space.
8. Centre Nature Haus Ternell
To assist visitors in understanding the ecology and history of the High Fens environment, a visitor center is conveniently located in the heart of the Hertogenwald, adjacent to the Weser Dam.
During the spring and summer seasons, guided walks are regularly offered from the center in German, French, and Dutch.
The center features a small natural history museum dedicated to the High Fens, illustrating their origins through dioramas and showcasing the present-day biodiversity of the region.
The on-site café restaurant serves regional specialties and an assortment of Belgian beers, while younger visitors can expend energy at the playground.
In winter, Haus Ternell serves as a gateway for cross-country ski trails and offers ski rentals from the center.
9. Werthkapelle
This chapel, situated on the east side of Werthplatz, makes a strong impression due to its grand western façade, constructed between 1821 and 1822, while the rest of the building primarily dates from the late 17th century.
Werthkapelle was established by the local Klebanck draper family, serving as a testament to the wealth garnered from this industry in Eupen approximately 300 years ago.
Above the pediment of the main portal is a niche containing a statue of Saint Lambert, the 7th-century Bishop of Maastricht-Liège.
Inside, one can view the main altar from 1694, the partially gilded oak pulpit from 1720 adorned with the Klebanck coat of arms, a communion bench made of polished Dolhain granite (1740), and two consoles from the late 18th century.
Since 2014, the Werthkapelle has served as a shared place of worship for both Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox congregations.
10. Historic Residences
Eupen is characterized by numerous beautiful, predominantly Baroque cloth-manufacturing houses from the 18th century, many of which are connected to enclosed courtyards where fabric was produced.
Many of these houses, distinguished by their mansard roofs, pediments, and quoins, have been repurposed for use as governmental offices.
The most grandiose of these is the townhouse Haus Mennicken (1744), located at the intersection of Gospertstraße and Werthplatz.
Equally impressive is the factory building situated at Klötzerbahn 34 (1761-63), which now serves as the headquarters for the German-speaking Community of Belgium.
This establishment is positioned opposite another courtyarded house at No. 27, built in 1757. The remarkable property at Kaperberg 2–4 houses Eupen’s State Archives, and previously, the parliament of the German-speaking Community convened at another cloth manufacturers’ house next door at No. 8 (1812).
11. Cultural Centre Alter Schlachthof
Located near IKOB, Eupen’s former slaughterhouse has successfully transformed into a center for performing arts and events.
The Alter Schlachthof, situated on the right bank of the city stream, is housed within a beautiful brick industrial complex dating from the early 20th century.
It’s advisable to review the center’s calendar prior to visiting Eupen, as its program features an array of live music across various genres, dance performances, family-oriented events, plays, comedy acts, and occasional festivals throughout the year.
The event SCENAR!, now over two decades old, runs for six weeks from February to March, blending theater with dance and circus arts.
The complex also features an old spice house (Gewürzhäuschen) that contains a bistro, open during major performances.
12. Karting Eupen
The recent expansion of this extensive facility has made it the largest indoor karting center globally.
The newly constructed track stretches 1,100 meters in length and six meters in width, providing ample space for competitive racing.
The addition of a bridge/tunnel, sponsored by Red Bull, enhances the experience, while the center is equipped with ventilation to maintain air quality.
A diverse range of karts is available, catering to all skill levels from amateur to professional, including options for individuals with reduced mobility and children.
For those seeking a shared experience, a two-seater kart is also available.
Complimentary WiFi is offered, along with a briefing room, bar, bistro with a terrace, and a professional shop featuring racing gear from brands such as Alpine Star.
13. Lac de la Gileppe
A scenic dam and reservoir located about 15 minutes by car from Eupen, the Lac de Gileppe is recognized as one of Europe’s oldest artificial lakes, created in 1867 to supply water for the industry in the city of Verviers.
The dam was raised between 1967 and 1971, during which time a monumental lion sculpture weighing 300 tons, crafted by Antoine-Félix Bouré (1831-1883), was also erected. A panoramic tower was built alongside the water, standing over 76 meters high, featuring a restaurant on its glass-enclosed top floor.
At the base of the tower, visitors can rent e-bikes, embark on hiking excursions, or challenge themselves on a high ropes course situated in the surrounding forest.
14. Eupen Carnival
Wallonia is known for its rich carnival traditions, historically characterized by the subversion of daily norms where individuals don costumes to engage in dancing and parades.
However, celebrations in Eupen differ slightly, with their origins tracing back to the Rhineland to the east.
In this context, Carnival festivities peak on Shrove Monday (Rosenmontag), as opposed to Mardi Gras.
The festivities commence the Thursday prior with daily parades, including one dedicated to “old women” (Weibefastnacht) on the Thursday and another for children on Saturday, culminating in a traditional procession on Sunday, followed by the Rosenmontag parade.
Throughout this period, Eupen’s streets come alive with a vibrant array of costumed figures including country knaves, two-legged elephants, butterflies, chimney sweeps, giant frogs, Pierrots, and much more.
15. Cortège de la Saint Martin à Eupen
Each year on November 11, an atmospheric procession takes place in Eupen in honor of the 4th-century saint Martin of Tours, a member of the Roman cavalry.
As a patron saint of anti-poverty, he is celebrated for famously using his sword to cut his cloak in two during a harsh winter to share it with a beggar in Amiens.
On this chilly evening, Saint Martin parades through Eupen on horseback, accompanied by 60 Roman soldiers, distributing treats to children along the route.
The procession route is lined with around 5,000 torches, concluding with a ceremonial sharing of the cloak in front of a replica of Amiens’ old city gate, culminating in a magnificent bonfire.
