Hasselt, Belgium Tourist Attractions
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Hasselt, the lively capital of the province of Limburg is situated between Liège and Antwerp on the Demer, a tributary of the Dijle. To the south extend fertile fields and orchards, in the north is the Limburg coal basin.
Madonna Virga Jesse Festival
Every seven years in August a procession for the Madonna Virga Jesse is held in Hasselt.The statue is kept in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk. On this occasion the "Langeman" is also carried, a 7m/23ft high figure in Spanish uniform, which goes back to the 15th C. (next date 1996).
Meiavond
On 30 April the "Meiavond" takes place, whereby a may tree is set up and the "Meiliedeken", known to date from the 17th C., is sung.
Grote Markt
The busy Grote Markt is surrounded by several old patrician houses, the most attractive being the chemist shop "Het Sweert", built in 1659 in place of a guest house from 1452. A masked head with an arm holding a raised sword decorates the corner of the house.
Sint-Quintinuskathedraal
Through the Kortstraat heading northeast is the Vismarkt with the 15th-16th C. Gothic Sint- Quintinuskathedraal, built on Roman foundations. Its 63m/206ft-high west tower (base 12th/13th C.) has one of the most attractive sounding carillons in Belgium with 47 bells.The interior of the church contains Gothic frescoes on the columns of the main nave, fine Renaissance choir stalls from 1549, the pulpit and a Gothic triumphal cross below the crossing.The church was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1967 when Belgian Limburg became a diocese and Hasselt the seat of the bishopric.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk a short distance west of the market is, as far as its art treasures are concerned, of greater importance than the Sint-Quintinuskathedraal. It was built between 1728 and 1740 in a transitionary style between Baroque and Classicism and rebuilt true to the original in 1950-1952 following its bombardment in 1944.In the interior some notable works of art from the former Cistercian abbey of Herkenkode near Hasselt have been preserved. In the transepts are the Baroque tomb of Anna-Catharina de Lamboy, abbess of Herkenrode 1653-1675, by A. Quellin the Younger (1675) and the marble Roccoco tomb of Barbara de Rivière d'Arschot, abbess of Herkenrode 1738-1744, with the bas relief "Resurrection" by L. Delvaux (1744).
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk High Altar
The high altar (with the 14th C. Virga Jesse-Madonna statue) is an important work by Jean Delcour of Liège.
Town Hall
North of the Grote Markt on Groenplaats is the stadhuis (town hall), an attractive patrician house from 1630, later converted in Classical style.
Begijinhof
The Sint-Katharina béguinage north of Sint-Quintinuskathedraal was originally built 1245-1567 beyond the town wall south of the town as it was at that time and was called 'Extra Muros'.In 1567 it was completely destroyed; in 1571 work began on a new béguinage, this time within the town walls. At the beginning of the 18th C. the premises were extended and underwent conversion. The buildings from this later period stand in the southern part of the grounds. The Classical church was destroyed during air raids in 1944; the only evidence of it are some ruins.
Museum Pater Valentinus
In Minderbroederstraat leading from the béguinage is the Museum Pater Valentinus which documents the life and work of Father Valentin Paquay (1828-1905).
Municipal Fashion Museum
The attractive and original Stedelijk Modemuseum (Municipal Fashion Museum) is situated on the north side of the Inner Town. It has numerous examples of 19th and 20th C. fashion and is arranged not only chronologically but also thematically, for example, bridal dresses, underwear.
Museum Stellingwerff-Waerdenhof
On the east side of the Inner Town is the beautifully painted Maastrichterstraat with the Museum Stellingwerff-Waerdenhof, devoted to local and town history. The most outstanding exhibit is the oldest known monstrance in the world dating from 1286.Throughout the museum, visitors can view the unique collection of signboards, Art Nouveau ceramics, church silverware, textiles and paintings from the 19th and 20th C.When finished viewing the exhibits, a fine selection of Limburg beers and coffee can be tasted in the museum cafeteria.
Refuge of the Abbey of Herkenrode
Opposite the Museum Stellingwerff-Waerdenhof is the refuge of the Abbey of Herkenrode from the 16th C.
Japanese Gardens
Built in 1993, the Japanese garden in Hasselt is the largest and most authentic of its kind in Europe.
Genever Festival
The Genever Festival is held in October.
International Military Riding
International Military Riding event is held in Hasselt.
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Map of Hasselt Attractions
Map - Hasselt
