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A charming little restaurant with a large terrace and a beautiful view of Schulensmeer lake. The terrace is the perfect place for visitors to share their stories.

The Schulensmeer is the largest inland lake in Flanders. Numerous benches invite you to take a break.

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/

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

You feel the peace here, especially when you're on the other side and can admire the horses and sheep nearby in the beautiful open countryside. I'll definitely come back here for a walk. Wonderful 😎

Beautiful view of the size of the Schulens lake...

A chapel stands here next to the track...