The best city hikes and walks in Vlaams Natuurreservaat Molenheide

The Chapel Our Lady of the Earth is a charming, rural chapel that has been a silent witness to the Genk countryside for centuries. It stands on a small elevated spot – “d’Ierd” refers to the higher ground – and was traditionally visited by residents who came to pray for protection and prosperity. Today, it is an atmospheric stop during a walk or bike ride, to relax for a moment amidst the fields and greenery.

Lovely blossoms to be spotted here too

Genk's town hall is centrally located on the Stadsplein and forms a recognizable point in the heart of the city. The modern building houses the main city services and is a lively place where residents can go for administration and information. Thanks to the open environment around the square, it is a pleasant stop during a walk or bike ride through the center.

The Kilbershoeve in Meeuwen is a typical example of a Kempen farmstead, the kind that defined the North Limburg landscape for centuries. Originally, this farm stood in Meeuwen, where agriculture was the cornerstone of daily life, and families lived in close connection with their fields, livestock, and surroundings. To preserve this valuable heritage, the farmstead was carefully demolished and later rebuilt in the Bokrijk Open-Air Museum. The farmstead reflects the simple yet well-considered farming life of the past. Living, working, and storing things all took place close together, adapted to the rhythm of the seasons and the possibilities of the poor Kempen sandy soils. The materials used—wood, clay, and brick—came from the immediate area and demonstrate how people built with what was available.

A coat of arms is a centuries-old symbol originally used in medieval heraldry, where knights wanted to make their family status or territory recognizable on the battlefield and during tournaments. This was done by placing specific designs and colors on a shield, making a person instantly recognizable even when wearing a helmet. Later, these coats of arms were used on stone, wood, or metal panels to mark boundaries, buildings, or important figures. The word "escutcheon" comes from the Dutch word "wapen" (arms), which could mean both "shield" and, in the past, literally a military instrument. At Bokrijk, you'll see coats of arms on old boundary stones, among other places, that once marked the boundaries between different areas or lords. For example, a boundary stone from 1684 marking the border between Hoeselt and Beverst bears the coat of arms of Prince-Bishop Maximilian of Bavaria, a sign that he confirmed this border and granted his authority. Above the shield are abbreviations such as STMR (St. Mary) and STELB (St. Lambertus), referring to the chapter (ecclesiastical organization) that governed the area at the time. A coat of arms can contain various elements: • Colors that have symbolic meanings in heraldry (such as courage, faithfulness, or loyalty). • Animals or figures (e.g., lions or eagles) that often refer to bravery, strength, or local legends. • Letters or initials that refer to a person or institution that used the coat of arms. In the historical landscape of Flanders and Limburg, you see such coats of arms not only on family or city symbols but also as identifying marks on boundary stones and farms to indicate the ownership, protection, or influence of a ruler or institution. In short: a coat of arms is much more than just an image; it is a visual historical sign that tells of power, identity, and stories from the past, which you can discover when you look around buildings, stones, or signs in Bokrijk.

The Mol-Millegem windmill was built around 1790 in the village of Milllegem near Mol (Antwerp) and is a typical Flemish **post mill** – the oldest type of windmill in Flanders. Its wooden body rotates completely around a central post to optimally harness the wind. The original wooden mechanism with gears and millstones is largely preserved. In 1954, the mill was moved to the **Bokrijk Open Air Museum** near Genk, where it can now be seen as a restored example of traditional building and craftsmanship.

Beautiful building with plenty to do

This coat of arms is undocumented. No specific information about a castle's coat of arms is available.