The best city hikes and walks in Hobos Beschermd Landschap

Construction of the rectory began in 1728 by Father Emmanuel de Rodier, a Premonstratensian canon from Floreffe. Located southwest of the parish church, the rectory is built in the Maas style, a rare feature of this region. The walled rectory garden lies in front of and behind the rectory. A detailed description and history can be found on the immovable heritage website: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/80376

The statue of the "Bokkenrijder" (Goat Rider) originally stood in the Oude Markt (Old Market Square) in Overpelt (now Pelt) and was moved to the Rectory Garden in 2020 due to vandalism. The statue was unveiled in 1960 to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of bailiff Clercx.

Sculpture by Eric Vanmechelen created for the turn of the millennium. More about Eric Vanmechelen: https://www.ericvanmechelen.com/

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the K.F. Nut en Vermaak (Flemish Nut and Entertainment) in 1987, Jet Moelans created the statue of the musicians. The statues were made using the cire-perdu method. In this method, a statue is designed in artificial wax and later, at the bronze foundry, surrounded by a cemotte mold. This mold is placed upside down in a kiln; the high temperature liquefies the wax, causing it to flow out of the cemotte mold and burn away to a large extent. Hence the name cire-perdu. The hollow space in the mold is later filled with liquid bronze. After cooling, the mold is removed with a hammer and chisel, revealing the statue. Source: https://www.internetgazet.be/pelt/kunstroute-de-beelden-van-jet-moelans.aspx

Centrally located, octagonal kiosk. Brick base with bluestone corner blocks; cemented staircase between rubble stone walls. Tree trunks connected by a balustrade of branches support a thatched roof with eight roof slopes, a profiled wooden cornice, and a similar lantern crowned by an iron winch. Inside, a plastered and white-painted vault rests on wooden beams; eight radially arranged iron tie rods. Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/80391

The Pelterke consists of 2 bivouac houses, a holiday home, a cafeteria, a playground, several meeting rooms and 2 party rooms.

The parish of Overpelt was probably founded in the 13th century. In 1277, the right of patronage was granted to Floreffe Abbey. From the 16th century onward, the church grounds served as a fortification. For this purpose, the church grounds were surrounded by a moat and only accessible by a drawbridge. In 1568, for example, the population repeatedly sought refuge in the church tower when the surrounding area was made unsafe by various troops. The church sustained damage, which was repaired in 1600. In 1614, a new sacristy and a new porch were built. In 1865, the moat was filled in. In 1912, the old, walled church was demolished and a new one built. This was built in the Neo-Romanesque style. The architects were Hyacinth Martens and Vincent Lenertz. In 1928 and 1935, murals were painted by Peter Heidbüchel, which were later painted over. It is an oriented brick church building with an integrated, square west tower. This tower has four sections and a slightly constricted spire. The portal is adorned with a group of Saint Martin. Source: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Martinuskerk_(Overpelt)

Wonderful for taking photos. 🎬