기어‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪20‬개의 천연기념물

A beautiful area of (only) 34.5 hectares, characterized by reed beds, cattail ponds, and pools fringed by shrubs or with open banks... These diverse habitats offer countless bird species places to forage, nest, hibernate, or rest during their migration. No fewer than 212 species have already been observed! (Source: www.natagora.be)

Deciduous forest traversed by the Hornebeek stream. In recent decades, it has dried out considerably, especially during the summer, with the stream also drying up because the Water Group operates a drinking water extraction facility here. This permit is expiring so the stream and wet forest can slowly recover.

Through the Hornebos forest of deciduous trees and shrubs. Nature management here means "leave everything that falls or blows over." The Hornebeek stream accompanies you along the avenue. The first source immediately runs to the left of the road, while the second source emerges 200m from the right, passing under the road, where they continue together.

Tumulus is the Roman term for a burial mound built over the cremation grave of a prominent citizen.

This fertile region was clearly a chosen area for Gallo-Roman villa builders. At a good 2.5 km apart you will find 3 tumili sites. Here the 2 Tommen van Vorsen.

This deciduous forest, one of the few in Droog-Haspengouw, originally belonged to the domain of Bovelingen Castle. The forest is rich in plants, including Slender Primrose and Giant Beetle Orchid. The highest point is about 130 meters above sea level. From there you have a beautiful view over the clay plateau of Haspengouw. There are sunken roads in the forest. The Peterkerebrukensloop originates in the forest, which flows into the Herk. An underground tunnel connected this stream with the castle ponds. In 1980, this forest was purchased by the Agency for Nature and Forests. Then the damp parts were overgrown with poplar and Norway spruce. In 1985 these trees were replaced by more natural vegetation, and in 2002 a further 15 hectares, bordering the forest, were planted with trees.

It is a protected monument. The tumuli were intended for eternity. In 1979 we were legally protected because they are also valuable for our time and for the future. They remind us of the rich culture of almost 2000 years ago. By taking care of it together, the rich past is preserved for generations to come. The hills in front of you were made by man, in the second century. Under such a hill lay the grave of an inhabitant of one of the many Gallo-Roman farms in the area. We call a Gallo-Roman burial mound a tumulus (Latin, plural: tumuli). There have been hundreds of tumuli throughout Haspengouw. Now there are only fifteen left in our province. Gingelom has six, more than any other municipality in South Limburg. You can visit them all.

In the visitor center there is a permanent exhibition of 58 million year old fossils of marine and land plants. You can admire flints and other finds here for free.