Geraardsbergen (French Grammont) lies in the hilly countryside of the Flemish Ardennes on the Dender, close to the border. The town, which received its charter as early as 1068, had a flourishing textile industry. The highest point of Geraardsberg is the 110m/360ft-high Oudenberg, which, on account of its steep cobblestone incline, is known to cyclists as "The Geraardsberg Wall" and is the most difficult stretch of the Tour de Flandres.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwhospitaal in Gasthuisstraat is one of the oldest hospitals in Belgium. It was founded in 1100, but the monastery wing with the bishop's room, refectory and council chamber are from 1763. A small museum with objets d'art and paintings has been set up in the hospital.
Every year the famous Oudenberg is the destination of the "Krakelingenworp" pilgrimage, a curious custom which finishes at the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkapel on the hill.
In Abdijstraat is the site of former Sint-Adriaans-abdij, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1100 but of which only a few 18th C. buildings have been preserved. These house a small museum with craft work and paintings. The rest of the site is a recreational park with a small zoo.
Across the linguistic divide 8km/5miles south of Geraardbegen in Lessines, known for its porphyry quarries, the surrealist painter René Magritte was born.
The Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose was founded in 1242 by Alix de Rosoit, widow of the Lord of Lessines, Arnold IV of Oudenaarde. The first floor of the monastery is now a museum with furniture, paintings, old instruments and household goods. The Musée Communal in the hospital documents the history of the quarrying of porphyry.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
