The best traffic-free bike rides around Tienen

Beautifully restored, picturesque church. Apparently the only church in Boutersem still used for its original purpose. Nice cobblestone path to the Orchid meadow a little further on.

On the site of the current St. Leonard's Church stood a chapel—the date of construction of which is unknown—in honor of Saint Leonard of Noblac. After this chapel was elevated to a parish church in 1231, it was replaced by the current church, which had a long construction history: the monumental Gothic building was largely constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries. St. Leonard's Church is rich in art treasures and owes its international fame primarily to them. The Iconoclasm of 1566 and the French Revolution passed the church by without significant damage, thus preserving most of the impressive artistic heritage accumulated over centuries: altarpieces, paintings, statues of saints, copper and silverwork, vestments, and other devout objects. Below, a few of these showpieces are presented. Upon entering, the first thing that catches the eye is the Marianum: this double statue (1533) is situated within the 15th-century veneration of Mary, which depicted the Virgin Mary as the apocalyptic woman and mediatrix of grace. Not-to-be-missed highlight inside: The Sacrament Tower: A tabernacle crafted from white Avesnes stone is undoubtedly the church's showpiece. The artwork was created in the workshops of Cornelis II Floris de Vriendt in Antwerp and erected in Zoutleeuw in 1552. The tower is 18 meters high, has nine stories, and contains approximately 200 statues depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. A replica is on display at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. The Paschal Candlestick This copper candlestick is 5.68 meters high and weighs approximately 950 kg. It was cast by Renier van Thienen, based on a design by Jan Bornam, and installed in the choir by the founder himself in 1483. It is the second-largest Easter candlestick in Europe. Source: https://www.zoutleeuw.be/sint-leonarduskerk

7 centuries old, but still beautiful...

Yes, Leonard knew what he wanted and is indeed a "wow"...

These cycle highways are truly very efficient and safe for making cycling trips both effective and enjoyable. It's a shame that not all cities in the country are equipped with this type of infrastructure...

A remarkable church with a picturesque interplay of volumes, composed of a west tower, three naves of three bays supported by columns, a projecting transept, and a two-bay deep choir with a polygonal end. Romanesque tower from the 12th century; ground floor connected to the nave by a round arch; dividing columns of the sound holes on the upper floor still feature cube capitals; rib vaults added in the 14th-15th centuries; southern stair tower added in the same period; Neo-Romanesque portal. The naves are separated by recent columns; the central nave has a stucco ceiling, and the aisles have ascending vaults. These may date back to the late 18th century (classical). Gothic choir and transept from the 16th century: a date of 1521 on a pillar south of the choir and a keystone dated 1540 in the south transept. Beautiful elevation. Columns with capitals, which, like the corbels, are enriched with foliage motifs; the upper section is openworked by lancet windows and reinforced by high buttresses in the Brabantine style; brick vaults on sandstone ribs in the choir. Modern sacristy in the southeast. Recent excavations have made it possible to locate the three narrower Romanesque naves on piers that rest against the tower. Inventory of Immovable Heritage: Parish Church of Our Lady and Saint Lucy with cemetery, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/41587

a beautifully restored church in a nice location

nice place to go on holiday