The best city hikes and walks around Hasselt

Currently, unfortunately, surrounded by construction site. A great contrast to the new town hall.

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.

Borrelmanneke is a fountain and bronze statue in the center of Hasselt, Belgium. This statue symbolizes the city's jenever tradition and is a landmark for both residents and tourists. The Borrelmanneke is located on Maastrichterstraat.

The oldest center of Hasselt lies on the banks of the Helbeek/Hellebeek, a small watercourse that enters the city from the south to the southeast, continuing north via Sint-Jozefstraat (formerly Beekstraat), skirting the choir of St. Quentin's Cathedral and continuing past Zuivermarkt and Paardsdemerstraat. It leaves the city via the Kattegat and joins the Demer. During the 13th century, a branch of the Demer was brought to the city from Diepenbeek to supply canals and at least one mill with water. This branch, the Nieuwe Demer, entered the city from the northeast and, before crossing the Kattegat and the Molenpoort gate, took over the Helbeek's bed, joining the Oude Demer in a northwesterly direction. The Helbeek, having become an open sewer, was covered over in the 19th century. From the 13th century onward, the entire center was surrounded by a rampart and wall, equipped with towers and four gates: the Maastricht Gate, the Sint-Truider Gate, the Kuringer Gate or Diest Gate, and the Kempen Gate. As early as the mid-15th century, parts of the walls were forcibly demolished and the moats filled in (Gerits 1989). Reconstruction followed, and subsequent political and military conflicts led to further demolition work. A pen and ink drawing of the Maastricht Gate from 1687 shows the massive gatehouse with its ravelin or fortification in front. Nothing of this remains visible on the map of Count de Ferraris (1771-1778). After 1820, the decision was made to sell the ramparts and gates, which ultimately resulted in their complete dismantling between 1846 and 1850. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Historic city center of Hasselt, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/140049

Since the 7th century, a devotion to Saint Quentin existed along the Helbeek. Around 1100, Hasselt became a parish, with a Romanesque church, which from 1218 onwards was under the patronage of Herkenrode Abbey. Of the Romanesque church, only the lower part of the 12th-century tower remains. The upper part was built in the early Gothic style around 1250. In the second half of the 14th century, construction began on the chapels along the aisles. These gradually increased in number. The nave, transept, and choir were constructed between 1406 and 1448. The vaults date from a building campaign in the mid-15th century. In the second half of the 15th century, the chapels along the aisles were enlarged in a uniform manner; this effectively gave the church a five-aisled design. In 1510, an ambulatory with transept chapels was built. The spire dates from the 18th century. From 1862 to 1879, the building was restored by architect J. Delsaux. The additions of the stair turrets on the west facade, as well as the finals and gargoyles, date from this period. During excavations in the church, following the installation of underfloor heating, traces of a structure were discovered that can be dated to the 9th century. Postholes from heavy wooden uprights indicate that the structure must have been 6 to 7 meters wide and at least 9 meters long, with a narrower east side. The building lay parallel to the foundations of the later Romanesque church. These may be traces of a wooden chapel that preceded the Romanesque church. Several graves also date from the same period. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Saint-Quintinus Cathedral, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/22097

About the wall paintings discovered in the cathedral. On the northwest crossing pillar in the nave, near the Cornelis Chapel, are the depictions of Saints Cornelius and Anthony. Cornelius, as a bishop, is dressed in an alb, dalmatic, cope, and miter. In his right hand, he holds the episcopal crosier; in his left, he carries his personal attribute, the horn; first half of the 15th century (143 x 69 centimeters). Anthony is depicted as a hermit in a brown robe and cowl, the habit of his order, the Antonites. In his right hand, he carries the abbot's crosier; in his left, a prayer book and a bell, with which the Antonites announced their arrival to plague victims. At his feet are visible flames, which refer to the Saint Anthony's fire, a formidable contagious disease; first half of the 15th century (150 x 66 centimeters). On the second column on the south side, the martyr Saint Lucy is depicted. She wears a robe and a wide cloak, holding a book in her right hand. She stands between two executioners dressed in short tunics and pointed shoes; the inscription reads: SAN[C]T[A] LUCIA, 15th century (120 x 124 centimeters). Discovered during plaster removal work in 1887. Restoration probably by Cornelis Leegenhoek in 1936. Godfried Guffens designed the static figures of saints in the choir and the murals in the baptistery, depicting the Baptism of Christ, the Crucifixion, the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, and finally, the figures of the first eight bishops of the diocese of Liège (1876-1879). Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Murals of St. Quintinus Cathedral, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/301476

St. Quintin's Cathedral is known, among other things, for its carillon (which includes a carillon museum and numerous steps for a magnificent view), several murals, the unique Niehof organ, the oldest known monstrance, and a wealth of religious heritage. For me, the reliquary treasure housed in the cathedral from the former Herkenrode Monastery (near Hasselt) is unmissable. It's a very old treasure that brings together everything: the legend of Saint Ursula, the County of Loon, Herkenrode Abbey, the medieval relic trade, pilgrimages, and much more. The treasure—which contains 114 objects, including 47 skulls—was donated to Herkenrode Abbey (where his cousin was abbess) in the thirteenth century by Willem Van Rijckel, Abbot of Sint-Truiden. A long story, but above all, some truly special masterpieces for enthusiasts.