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The history of the Meuse village of Leut is closely linked to the history of Vilain XIIII Castle, which dominates the village center. As early as the Middle Ages, the castle (then a fortress) was inhabited by the Lords of Leut. Over the centuries, the medieval moated castle with two moats and a drawbridge evolved into an open residential building with a permanent bridge over the remaining moat, surrounded by a spacious park in the English landscape style. A stately avenue connects the village square with the castle.

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The Kikbeek Source Valley is a unique nature reserve of approximately 120 hectares in the municipality of Maasmechelen. It is part of the Hoge Kempen National Park and situated in and around the former sand and gravel quarry from which the meandering Kikbeek stream originates. This landscape is characterized by alternating open heathlands, forests and marshlands, small ponds, and the source itself, which together form a rich ecological fabric where walking routes lead visitors past water, heathland, reed beds, and forests in an atmosphere of tranquility and natural diversity. The valley is situated on both sides of paths normally included in the network of walks, such as the green and blue loops of the Mechelse Heide, which start from the parking lot at Camping Kikmolen, for example, and loop through the area with views of ponds, heathland, and woodlands. This valley is ecologically valuable, and the combination of a former quarry, seepage zones, and wetlands creates habitats for numerous insects, birds, and plants typical of wet and semi-open nature. The area provides a window into the ancient geology and landscape history of this region, where nature has gradually recovered since the time of human use. However, the situation around the valley and its hiking trails has been in flux for years and is not always accessible as it once was. Due to a landslide in the Kikbeekbron valley, the area is officially closed to recreation, and the blue and green hiking trails that run through it have remained inaccessible to visitors for some time. Research by the Agency for Nature and Forests, in collaboration with geotechnical experts, has revealed that there are risks of further landslides and slope instability, making the valley unsafe to access for the time being, and recreational use has been temporarily suspended. Clear signs on site inform visitors that access is prohibited and that alternative routes outside the valley must be followed. This situation serves as a precautionary measure as long as the stability of the former quarry and surrounding areas is maintained. At the same time, larger nature restoration and water management projects are planned or underway in this area. The Agency for Nature and Forests is carrying out the Blue Deal project at the Kikbeek spring, one of the largest of its kind in Flanders. The goal is to restore the ecosystem of the original valley, strengthen wetlands, and retain more water in the area. This extensive intervention is linked to sustainable water management, biodiversity, and the long-term health of the area. Parts of the valley are temporarily closed to enable methodical implementation. Due to these circumstances, the hiking trails through the former quarry and along the Kikbeek spring are currently not open as you know them from previous hiking maps, and the green and blue loops, which were equally enjoyable for a walk around the pond and through the heathland, are not accessible to recreational users. Yet, for many nature lovers, including myself, the allure of this area is hard to resist. Despite the official closures and clearly indicated restrictions, I have walked past the signs and barriers precisely because the paths are still partially visible and because the sensory experience of the landscape remains very inviting. The story of my walk through the valley, even though it was technically prohibited by the managers, reveals the appeal of this landscape. The tranquil water features, the transition from open heathland to woodland, and the atmosphere of a hidden stream valley invite exploration even when restricted zones indicate it's not officially permitted. This personal touch contrasts the formal, protective management of vulnerable natural areas with the human tendency to seek out the peace and beauty of such places, even if that means straying slightly off the beaten track.

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Beautiful cycle path towards Itteren

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Old coal winding towers near Maasmechelen

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St. Barbara's Church is the parish church of Eisden-Tuinwijk in Eisden and a so-called mining cathedral. The church was built after the Eisden coal mine was constructed and put into production in 1923, leading to the construction of several towns under the name Eisden-Tuinwijk. These were located west of the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal. This led to a sharp population increase, creating the need for a new church. Brussels architect Auguste Vanden Nieuwenborg designed a monumental church in the Brick Expressionist style, incorporating Gothic elements such as pointed arch windows. The stained-glass windows in the choir are inspired by those of Chartres Cathedral. The church, with its plump 53-meter-high tower, was built from 1934 to 1936. It is a three-aisled cruciform church. The church furnishings are almost entirely post-1945, but the organ dates from 1939 and was built by the Delmotte studio in Tournai. The Stations of the Cross are made of black marble in bas-relief, and in 1960, sculptor Mailleux created several statues. The Saint Barbara statue on the facade dates from 1982. The church is surrounded by various related buildings, such as schools, a monastery, and a parish center. Source: Wikipedia

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It's simply amazing what's been done here with the former mining site. I hadn't even heard of it until today, and I'm absolutely thrilled. ;-)

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Along the Meuse you will find many nature reserves, such as Maasweerd. These areas serve as natural flood areas, because the Meuse can regularly overflow its banks here. Especially for bird lovers it is a small paradise: you can easily see herons, geese and various other water birds. A beautiful place to quietly walk or cycle and fully enjoy nature.

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In the middle of the Grote Staat in Oud-Urmond stands the Schippershuis dating from 1612 with its beautiful facade, built in the Maasland Renaissance style, decorated with frames with triglyph friezes and blocked windows. According to tradition, it would have served as a shelter for elderly skippers. Before that, the Urmond guesthouse was probably located there. This assumption is based on the fact that the logo, the pediment of the guesthouse can be seen next to the facade of the aforementioned Schippershuis. In the report of the church visitation from 1400, the oldest known church visitation that took place in Oud Urmond, it is noted that Urmond had a St. Nicholas altar, a sacristy and also a hospital or guesthouse in addition to the church. Church visitations were held at the time to detect and remedy abuses within parishes. Everywhere the bailiff, members of the knighthood, the sheriff, aldermen and churchwardens had to be summoned and heard, about pastors and chaplains, about their doctrine and life, their ministry and their relationship to the church order. There used to be two types of poor; the house poor and the Holy Ghost poor. The house poor were members of the parish who received their food from the municipality, the community. Their possessions were managed by the poor master. The Holy Ghost poor were needy people who came from elsewhere, were in transit and therefore were not part of the parish community. They were therefore strangers, travellers. In order to feed and accommodate these people, a guesthouse was built near the church. This guesthouse was managed by a guesthouse master who had to care for the guests. The clergy provided support and protection to these guesthouses. The pediment, dating from 1570, depicting the Holy Spirit in the form of a white dove, with the inscription: *AU Saint Esprit* 1570* (In the Holy Spirit), was probably in the facade above the entrance to the guesthouse. There is no certainty about this, it was also said that Walloon skippers may have brought the pediment with them. Source: https://kleinemonumentenstein.nl/monumenten/muurversieringen-en-iconen/timpaan-in-fronton-oud-urmond

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