The best MTB trails around Oreye

The beguinage of Borgloon originated around the chapel of the Knights Hospitaller in Graethem, near the city gate. This chapel is the burial place of Louis I († 1171), Count of Loon, and his wife Agnes, who is mentioned twice in the Legend of Saint Servatius by Hendrik van Veldeke. The tomb remained preserved until around 1860. In 1174, Agnes, now a widow, donated the hospital and all its dependent goods to the Abbey of Villers; she endowed it with her lands in Heks. After some time, beguines began to settle around the hospital; in 1258 or 1259, a beguinage was definitively established. The Abbey of Villers retained the right of patronage of the chapel and the right to appoint the nine beguines. In 1582, this right passed to the Saint Lambert Chapter of Liège. From 1500 onwards, the city council appointed a master of the house in the hospital. In 1654, the nine beguinage houses were burned down by Lorraine troops during the siege of the city. The beguines rebuilt their houses with the income from their prebends and the alms of the Cathedral of Liège. Around 1714, the hospital had deteriorated so much that it was moved to the other side of the road; in 1784, it was taken over by the city's poor relief board. By decree of 25 November 1797, the beguinage came under the administration of the Bureau of Weldadigheid (Bureau of Charity). In 1802, the beguinage was converted into a retirement home; there were still four beguines living there at the time. In 1814, the chapel was opened for public worship. Between 1836 and 1844, the construction of the old men's home began; an enlargement took place between 1868-1872, a later enlargement in 1891 and 1896, designed by E. Serrure. In 1846, a girls' school was added to this complex; the latter, under the leadership of the Sisters of Charity, functioned there only until 1849, when it was transferred to the old Brigittine convent. In 1911, a new chapel was built next to the elder's home. Reportedly, the beguinage chapel was used as a classroom for a few more years.

Friendly people. Relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Beautiful location.

Striking color...

With luck, spot a deer?!

Just outside the village center of Widooie, on Kasteelweg, lies the beautifully preserved Widooie Castle: a secluded castle farm with deep historical roots. Four wings surrounding a rectangular courtyard form a harmonious whole, with marlstone bands, ornate wall anchors, and a stately gate dating from 1662 where the coat of arms of Richard Vaes still proudly stands. The corner tower, the classically renovated residential wing, and the 17th-century barns together tell the story of a place where generations have come and gone for centuries.

Top environment to live your amateur mtb'er. Nice view downhill.

Artist Hans Lemmen presents his artwork "Landmark Roman Villa": https://youtu.be/FdFZ_uXlCGU?si=ituruQ5ObLXL-P1P

This monument is located at the Tjenneboom. And to know what the "Tjenne" monument stands for, it is useful to know what the Tjenneboom has to do with. And you can read that at https://www.komoot.com/nl-nl/highlight/4011561 Quote: "Tjenne is dialect for Jeanne or Jeanna Michiels who was wrongly burned here in 1667 and was doomed to hell. By carrying her to heaven, the statue symbolizes tolerance above all".