The best traffic-free bike rides around Herstal

Beautiful surroundings and a visit to the mine is definitely worth it. There is a nice little restaurant and playground for the children, and you can also take a tour of the mine.

Scherpenberg Castle is a historic castle located at Dreef 99 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. It is part of Flanders' preserved heritage and forms part of the cultural-historical landscape around the Jeker river and the De Kevie nature reserve. The castle is recognized as a building heritage site due to its long history and architectural value. The current castle building dates largely from the late 16th and 17th centuries, built on the site of an older castle. Remnants of that original castle are still visible in the western substructure. The complex comprises an elongated main building with a gatehouse, two and a half stories high, under a slate hipped roof. Architectural details such as bacon bands and marlstone cornices are typical of the style and period of construction. Above the entrance is a chronogram from 1697 with the coats of arms of the Vaes and Schroots families, who occupied the castle at that time. Over the centuries, the castle changed owners and was associated with various noble families, including the Scarpenbergh, Baest, Hoen, de Limelette, van Brecht, de Berlaymont, Bex, Vaes, Mantels, and Corswarem families. Some parts of the building, such as service buildings, turrets, and outbuildings, also have historical value and display architectural elements from various periods. Scherpenberg Castle is situated in a green and rural setting that invites visitors to walk and explore the historic landscape around Tongeren. It is not always freely accessible to visitors because it is often privately owned and does not function as a public museum, but it remains a recognizable and valuable cultural-historical monument within the region.

Rosmeulen Castle is a historic country house and estate of great architectural and heritage value, located at Neremstraat 229 in Nerem, a sub-municipality of Tongeren. Dating back to the early 20th century, the building represents a unique combination of Neo-Rococo and Art Nouveau architecture, designed for chocolate and gingerbread manufacturer Florent Rosmeulen. Construction of the manor house, originally named La Brise, began around 1911, opposite the Rosmeulen chocolate factory. However, the founder himself never fully occupied the building, partly due to financial difficulties and the impact of the First World War. The building is situated amidst a romantic castle garden in the English landscape style, featuring ponds, lawns, mature trees, walking paths, and a walled vegetable garden, all contributing to the estate's unique atmosphere. The imposing entrance hall features a majestic staircase and stained-glass windows, while the exterior facades are richly ornamented with features such as bay windows, colonnades, and a round tower under a domed roof. During the First and Second World Wars, the castle was used by German and later American troops, respectively, reflecting its strategic location and the building's role during that time. After the war, the manor changed owners several times. Families such as Duesberg-Bossen Blijweert and Riskin lived there, and the Riskin family, in particular, carried out maintenance and renovation work for many years. In mid-2020, the castle was purchased by Dirk and Bie D'haese, who began a thorough restoration to restore the dilapidated building to its former glory. Their goal is not only to preserve the heritage but also to open the castle and park for use by associations and for events, with spaces such as a large hall of over 300 m² available. The castle is included in the Inventory of Immovable Heritage of Flanders for its architectural value, rich ornamentation, and its location in a historic park with a pond. Rosmeulen Castle, together with the former Rosmeulen chocolate factory and the surrounding landscape, forms a recognizable and valuable ensemble in Nerem with ties to the local industrial culture of the early 20th century, the social history of the region, and today's heritage conservation.

The former Rosmeulen chocolate factory in Nerem, a submunicipality of Tongeren (Belgium), is a unique industrial heritage building with a rich history and striking architecture. The building was erected around 1908–1909 by Florent Rosmeulen, a chocolate maker who produced chocolate, cocoa, and gingerbread there. It is one of the few industrial buildings in Limburg built in the Art Nouveau style, with characteristic details such as an impressive stained-glass window above the entrance and decorative references to cocoa and chocolate. The structure is among the first in Belgium to be constructed with a reinforced concrete frame, which was progressive at the time and contributed to its robust industrial appearance. The factory flourished in the first decades of the 20th century but was severely affected by the economic crisis of the 1930s. After reorganizations, the company went bankrupt in 1934, and production ceased. In the decades that followed, the building served various purposes, being used by soldiers during World War II, then by other industrial enterprises such as a textile factory and a tin foundry, and later also for cultural activities. After years of vacancy and decay, the former chocolate factory was repurposed as a residential complex in the mid-2010s. Under the name "De Chocoladefabriek" (The Chocolate Factory), the industrial monument is being preserved and transformed into a residential project with lofts and apartments combined with communal areas and gardens. The impressive Art Nouveau block, with a stained-glass window approximately 6 meters wide, is one of the highlights of the renovation and is one of the largest glass artworks in an industrial context in Flanders. The repurposing of the former chocolate factory has become an example of how historical industrial heritage can be integrated into modern residential spaces. The project was even recognized with a prestigious real estate award for the way the old building was preserved and revitalized. Today, the building not only commemorates the region's industrial history but also forms an architectural and social hub where residential heritage and modern architecture merge, close to the De Kevie nature reserve and the former railway line.

Augustinian Abbey on the Meuse River, whose origins date back to 1075. The complex features an impressive corner tower, gateway, abbey church, dovecote, watermill, brewery, and other outbuildings. Later, it also housed a tax collection house and the abbot's palace. Today, it's a large school complex that can be very busy on a Wednesday afternoon.

One of Liège's most beautiful castles, originating in the 11th century, completely surrounded by a moat. Striking are the checkerboard facades in limestone and brown sandstone and the pepper-pot-like turrets. Various owners succeeded one another over the centuries. For two centuries (16th-17th century), it was owned by the powerful de Merode family, who gave the castle its current appearance. They sold it to the Van den Steen family in 1720. The last descendant of the family, Count Guy vanden Steen, bequeathed it to the province in 1999. He was a sculptor, among other things, and many of his bronze statues still adorn the gardens. He did, however, incorporate a distinctive symbolism, depicting nude female figures mating with beetles. The 22-hectare estate also features an Italian ornamental garden with water features and bronze statues, a 19th-century vegetable garden with orangeries, a 19th-century icehouse, and many listed trees. The castle also has its own church within the moat on a peninsula. Over the centuries, the owners have amassed numerous curiosities that can be seen in the castle, which is now a provincial property and open to visitors.

Chapel is unfortunately closed, but seems to be no longer in use(?).

The builder of Rosmeulen Castle was Florent Rosmeulen, owner of the former gingerbread and chocolate factory across Neremstraat. He commissioned the castle's construction in 1913. Due to financial difficulties and theft, the interior was never completed. At the time of Florent Rosmeulen's death in 1943, the builder had never lived in his castle. During World War II, American soldiers were stationed in the castle. They used the building for housing and as a laundry. During the war, the castle was subject to vandalism by the soldiers, and afterward, civilians stole all kinds of useful materials. After World War II, the castle came into the hands of Hubert Duesberg-Bosson, who also bought the former chocolate factory across the street. He installed a textile machinery factory there. He used the castle as office space, a telephone room, a dining room, accommodation, and restrooms. Between 1966 and 1972, Luc Blijweert owned the castle, after which it passed into the hands of the Riskin family. Jean Riskin established a tin factory in the former chocolate factory. The castle underwent a thorough renovation, including a complete refurbishment of the ground floor, installation of electricity and central heating, construction of the swimming pool building and tunnel, and restoration of the gardens, ponds, and balustrades. Jean Riskin lived at Rosmeulen Castle for 44 years, from 1972 until his death in 2016. Unfortunately, the building and grounds were barely maintained after his death. In mid-2020, Dirk D'haese, a cardiologist active in the assisted living sector, purchased Rosmeulen Castle. Since then, the castle and grounds have undergone a thorough restoration and renovation.