The best traffic-free bike rides around Schulensmeer

strengthen the inner person

Where Joseph has his modest prayer house. Historical significance: Chapel located at a crossroads and flanked by two tall naves, dating from the second half of the 19th century. Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/

Hill on which a vineyard is located near the village of Molenbeek.

Gothic church on the following plan: a square west tower (13th century), now built in, with an adjoining five-sided southern stair tower, now located in the later added right aisle. A three-aisled nave of three bays (nave from the late 14th to early 15th century, aisles possibly from the mid-16th century), transept arms of one bay (1552), and a choir of three straight bays with three-sided openings, flanked by sacristies. The dating of the choir is unclear; since it is made entirely of iron sandstone, it could have been built simultaneously with the nave. The northern sacristy has an old core, possibly dating from the church's expansion in the mid-16th century, but was later adapted and extensively restored. In the 19th century, the south transept arm was raised, while the north aisle and transept arm were completely replaced by new structures; the south sacristy also dates entirely from this period. The upper tower section dates from the restoration campaign after the First World War. After being damaged in 1940, the church was restored again. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Parish Church of St. Peter in Banden, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/21764

The forest is characterized by a wide variety of tree species of various ages. Surrounded by agricultural lands and old standard orchards, some trees in this forest have survived since 1900. It's no wonder that tree-dwellers like the squirrel and the woodpecker thrive in Sint-Jansberg. Even the deadwood teems with life. Its history is closely linked to the neighboring Carthusian Monastery, so the estate forest also holds significant archaeological value. So far, eight hectares of the field surrounding the Carthusian Monastery has been reforested with native tree species. Sint-Jansberg, along with Rotbroek and Gorenbroek, forms part of the larger Borchbeemden area.

The cyclist carabiniers initially defended Halen, which was soon captured by the Germans. The Belgian troops then withdrew to the western edge of Halen, bordered by the railway embankment, where they set up machine guns. The cyclists withdrew a second time, towards the IJzerwinningshoeve (Iron Extraction Farm), where the main Belgian force was stationed. But just after crossing the sunken road of the Betserbaan (where the monument stands), the German cavalry launched a charge, trapping the cyclists between the Belgian defenses in the IJzerwinningshoeve and the advancing German cavalry. The cyclists were literally caught between two fires and suffered significant casualties. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Halen Battlefield, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/300946

The carabinier cyclists earned their nickname because of their speed. Besides a rock from Elsenborn, where a training camp has been located since 1893, there is also a wooden cross behind the monument with the inscription "To the dead, Aux morts, Den Gefallenen" (To the dead, Aux morts, The fallen). The "European cross" was erected during the 75th anniversary commemoration in 1989 as a tribute to all the fallen, along with the planting of a weeping willow. A plaque with the inscription "Zwarte Duivels/ 12-08-1914" (Black Devils/12-08-1914) is attached to the large natural stone rock from Elsenborn, and in front you'll find the Black Devils' symbol. The information board tells you more about them and the role they played. In the video below, at 1:30, you can see the account of Private Jozef Declercq of the first battalion of the carabinier cyclists. Not about the firefight, but about the erection of a barricade on the road from Halen to Zelk. And you immediately see that the Black Devils performed various tasks in the defense of Halen, aided by farmers and civilians in this agricultural region. Halen itself was quickly captured, however, followed by the battle at the monument (see below). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaWUl2tI3xY

Let your thoughts drift for a moment to the sight of the lake...