The best city hikes and walks in Natuurreservaat Smeetshof

Originally, a Romanesque church stood on this site, likely founded by the Count of Loon. In 1078, Countess Ermengardis donated the patronage rights of this church to the chapter of the Sint-Bartolomeüskerk in Liège. In the mid-15th century, construction began on the church in the Maasland Gothic style, starting with the choir, which is presumed to date from 1452. The nave is from the early 16th century. The Romanesque tower was retained. In 1506, a Chapel of Saint Anne was built on the orders of Arnold van Mewen and his wife Aleydis Bormans, forming the present southern transept arm. In 1606, the spire was blown off by the wind, damaging the Our Lady's Chapel, which had been built in 1469. The chapel and tower were repaired. In 1831, the tower was again dilapidated and was restored. From 1901-1902, the church was enlarged, during which the tower was demolished and a new one built, the nave was extended westward by one bay, side aisles were added, as well as the northern transept arm and the sacristy.

The Itterpoort was the most important gate, in the east, on the current Opitterstraat, in the direction of Maaseik and Roermond. The Opitterpoort consisted of two horseshoe-shaped towers. There was a very narrow passage. In the Middle Ages, people and animals were a lot smaller than they are now. The white house on the left when looking into Opitterstraat has a reinforced facade to absorb the pressure from the earthen city wall. The old facade is on Opitterstraat. The doorway is still clearly visible in the center, with a painted-over house number on the left. In the side facade of this white house, against the business at number 30, there is a stamping booth for the night watch.

In this place formerly stood the dye tower. Originally there was no city gate here. It was built at the end of the 16th century at the current Stationswal; due to fire hazard, the linen dyeing had been housed here. A glass window provides a glimpse into the remains of the old tower.

Since October 2004, the former Augustinian Monastery has been used as a town hall, housing the urban administration, municipal council, and a contact space for visitors. It is accessible via the Vrijthof, or along the small ring, also Witte Torenwal. There one can admire the newly laid-out garden, before making a tour inside, in the former inner courtyard, now under a glass roof (inspired by the Flemish Parliament in Brussels).

The war memorial for the fallen of the First World War in Bree, designed by A. De Cuyper, is protected as a monument.

The former monastery and Sint-Michielscollege was built by the Augustinian fathers. Financially, they received support from Baron Gerard van Huls, who Latinized his name to Gerardus de Taxis. His family originated from Bree. He made his fortune as an officer in the Austrian army during the Thirty Years' War. In 1797, the monastery was abolished by the French; the buildings were confiscated and used as barracks and a city warehouse. Under Dutch rule, the monastery became municipal property. From 1865 to 1874, it was the city college. In 1874, a state secondary school was housed there, which was abolished in 1884. At the end of the 19th century, the Bishop of Liège bought the buildings and made them into the Sint-Michielscollege. In 1992, the city of Bree received a 75-year lease on the building. Since October 2004, it has been used as a town hall, housing the municipal administration, city council, and a contact space for visitors. It is accessible via the Vrijthof, or along the small ring road, also known as Witte Torenwal. There, one can admire the newly laid-out garden before taking a tour inside the former courtyard, now covered by a glass roof (inspired by the Flemish Parliament in Brussels). It is noteworthy that this is the fourth town hall of the city of Bree. In 1969, a "glass house" on Grauwe Torenwal was inaugurated as the third town hall (since April 2010, it has housed the justice of the peace and the services of the Ministry of Finance). The second town hall, or Old Town Hall (from 1591), is located at Markt 2. This also had a predecessor, the Gewandthuis on the Vrijthof.

Today, the Vrijthof is a cozy square where you can relax on a bench or at a small table and enjoy your free time. The name Vrijthof, however, refers to the walled churchyard that formerly occupied a part of the square. In the area between the current town hall and the churchyard, there were trees, and from 1532, a well was also located here, which was replaced by a water pump in the course of the 18th century. Water was essential for survival and therefore held a central place in the heart of the city. The city pump has since disappeared, but water remains present on the Vrijthof in the form of a water feature with low foam crests. In the summer, many bare feet walk through this feature for cooling. Small visitors to the square usually also have a wonderful time in the circular part of the fountain with higher water jets that are illuminated in the evening. Despite the sober appearance of the square, a whole technical installation is located underground and in the cellars beneath the Vrijthof.

The city of Bree had the Gewanthuis as its town hall, which was located on the Vrijthof. Here the municipal council and the aldermen's bench convened, the city guard was stationed there, and markets were held under this building. On the same spot as the Gewanthuis, this building was erected from 1587-1591, with a slate roof, a small tower, and partly brick walls. It housed the magistracy, the court, the aldermen, the rifle guilds, the fire brigade, the city guard, and a modest arsenal with rifles, fuses, and bullets. In 1647 the facade was renewed, but in 1755 a new main facade was completed in the Louis XIV style, with a rococo-style pediment. On this is a relief depicting the battle of Saint Michael with the dragon, as well as three coats of arms: that of Bree, that of the Austrian emperor, and that of Johan Theodoor of Bavaria, the then prince-bishop of Liège. The old town hall served as such until 1969, after which, among other things, the tourist service found accommodation there, and since 1975, the Bree Local History Museum. The town hall moved to a modern building on Grauwe Torenwal, to occupy the former Sint-Michielscollege in 2004.