게라르츠베르겐 최고의 러닝 경로

Iconic to ride here.

In the play trough, you can take off your shoes and socks. Flowing water, pebbles, and natural stone create a fun barefoot experience. The water is pumped from the pond. Thanks to the play trough's location against one of the flanks of the Abbey Park, the water flows smoothly downward and is then collected back into the pond.

The church's origins lie in the 12th-century Chapel of Our Lady of the Maerct. In 1515, the relic of Saint Bartholomew was brought in a solemn procession from the neighboring village of Sint-Martens-Lierde to Geraardsbergen. The late Gothic parish church henceforth bears the name of this apostle-martyr. Bartholomew is invoked against nervous and skin diseases, and is, among other things, the patron saint of tanners. The saint's relic is housed in a magnificent silver shrine (1719). In the mid-eighteenth century, the time was ripe for a modification to the French rococo style. The town hall, too, was adapted. The Geraardsbergen carpenter-sculptor Gilles de Ville and several colleagues created various ornate pieces of furniture, including the naturalistic pulpit. At the end of the nineteenth century, the Ghent architect August Van Assche drastically turned the clock back to the Middle Ages. The church regains its Gothic exterior. Inside, a magnificent neo-Gothic interior, inspired by Louis Bert de l’Arbre, now shines, with the choir as its centerpiece. The godfather of neo-Gothic architecture in Geraardsbergen is so delighted with the prestigious commission that he painted the choir and transept entirely free of charge. Uniquely, the interior has been exceptionally well preserved, from the stained-glass windows and altarpieces to the shining lights on the choir stalls. This is almost unheard of in Flanders.

The current appearance of the church, which acquired its current name after the acquisition of the relics of Saint Bartholomew in 1515, dates from the years 1880-1896. During this period, architect August Van Assche (1826-1907) began a thorough restoration to return the church to its "original" Gothic appearance, or even improve it. The chairman of the church council, Louis Bert-de l'Arbre, was the driving force behind this renovation. He and his wife are depicted in a stained-glass window in the former St. George's Chapel in the west, which has been part of the church ever since and was dedicated to Our Lady. (Open Churches)

The original 14th-century Gothic town hall with vertically stacked halls was ravaged several times, including in 1381, 1485, 1549 and the last quarter of the 16th century; restored in 1598-99. Renovated in 1752-53 in Louis XV style with a plastered facade, central bay accentuated by a wrought iron balcony on the main floor, ending in a triangular pediment; segmental arch windows. Slight damage in 1779 and 1814. Neo-Gothic renovation in 1891-96 based on a design by architect Langerock; contractor Cock. Addition of the monumental staircase in 1896. (Inventory of Immovable Heritage)

Definitely go inside, it's beautiful.

There are many different attractions around Gaverplas lake. People can be seen fishing on the lakeside banks. There is a big fountain, restaurants, bars and cafes. Many different paddle boats are at the main building section. Good new gravel tracks go around the lake. It is a popular area as the campsite is connected also and local people pass through

The Raspaillebos has five marked walks: Natural Gas Walk (7.7 km), Farmland Landscape (4 km), Raspaillebos Walk (3.7 km), Window on the Landscape (2.5 km), and Bosberg Walk (2 km). (Agency for Nature & Forests)