Hoge Kempen National Park: Essential Highlights
Flanders' first national park covers over 12,000 hectares of heathland and pine forests. This selection highlights the region's industrial evolution, featuring preserved coal mining infrastructure like Thor Central and the Museum van de Mijnwerkerswoning. It also includes the 12th-century ruins of Waterburcht Pietersheim, the Oudsberg shifting sand dunes, and several historic Gothic and Romanesque churches. Visitors can explore the monastic heritage of Munsterbilzen and Hocht or view the landscape from the Lieteberg observation tower.
A Hoge Kempen National Park
Hoge Kempen National Park is the first National Park in Flanders, Belgium.
Thor Central
The main heritage building of the former Waterschei coal mine, now serving as a central hub for the Thor Park industrial and nature site.
Ophaalgebouw
The former winding engine house of the Waterschei mine, a key component of the site's preserved industrial heritage infrastructure.
Ventilatorgebouw
The historic ventilation building of the Waterschei coal mine, which originally housed the machinery used to circulate air underground.
E Waterburcht Pietersheim
The 12th-century ruins of a moated castle that served as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Pietersheim.
F Kasteel Pietersheim
A 16th-century manor house and estate located adjacent to the medieval castle ruins in Lanaken.
G Kasteel van Hocht
A former 12th-century Cistercian abbey for noblewomen, later converted into a private castle and estate near the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal.
H Munsterbilzen Abbey
Munsterbilzen Abbey was an abbey of Benedictine nuns in Munsterbilzen, Limburg, Belgium, founded in around 670 by Saint Landrada.
I Museum van de Mijnwerkerswoning
A restored 1925 miner's cottage in the Eisden garden suburb, showcasing the domestic life and history of local mining families.
J Sint-Aldegondiskerk
The historic former parish church of As, notable for its Gothic architecture and location along the ancient Kerkpad.
K Sint-Hubertuskerk
The parish church of Neerglabbeek, a protected regional heritage site dedicated to Saint Hubert.
L Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
A parish church in Zutendaal with historical roots as a pilgrimage site, featuring architecture that dates back to the 14th century.
M Kasteel Zangerhei
The remaining buildings of a former castle estate in Eigenbilzen, situated near the edge of the national park.
N Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Tenhemelopnemingskerk
The parish church of Munsterbilzen, historically linked to the adjacent noble abbey of Benedictine nuns.
Uitkijktoren Lieteberg
A wooden observation tower at the Lieteberg gateway providing panoramic views over the surrounding national park and heathlands.
P Vlaams Natuurreservaat Oudsberg
A nature reserve containing the Oudsberg, the highest and largest open shifting sand dune in Flanders, reaching 85 meters above sea level.
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