Aalst

Neighborhood ·🇧🇪 Belgium

Population 88,854

Area 79 km²

Time zone Europe/Brussels

Official website www.aalst.be

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Explore Aalst

Aalst Essentials

Aalst’s historical landscape is anchored by the Schepenhuis, one of the oldest city halls in the Low Countries and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city and its surrounding districts, such as Hofstade and Hekelgem, feature a dense collection of Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture, including the towering St. Martin's Church. Beyond the urban core, the region is home to Renaissance-style water castles and the influential Benedictine Affligem Abbey, reflecting centuries of Flemish cultural and religious heritage.

13 places

Heritage Sites in Aalst

Aalst’s historical landscape is defined by its UNESCO-listed Schepenhuis, one of the oldest city halls in the Low Countries, and the monumental St. Martin's Church. The region features a diverse collection of religious and civic architecture, ranging from the medieval water castle of Moorsel to the Gothic and Neo-Gothic churches of Hofstade, Meldert, and Hekelgem. These sites showcase the evolution of Brabantine Gothic and Renaissance styles throughout the Dender region.

9 places

Historic Churches & Abbeys

Explore the religious architecture of the Aalst region, from the monumental 11th-century Benedictine Affligem Abbey to the grand Gothic St Martin's Church. This collection highlights significant regional heritage, including the white-stone Sint-Walburgakerk in Meldert and various neo-Gothic parish churches in surrounding villages like Hofstade and Moorsel. These sites represent centuries of spiritual history and architectural evolution across East Flanders.

15 places