The monumental pulpit by Theodoor Verhaegen is a highlight. This Rococo piece, crafted from oak, tells a complete theological story. It was largely funded by Alexander-Jozef Rubens, the grandson of Peter Paul Rubens. The pulpit is currently undergoing restoration. #bearinBelgium
The Baroque church was built by Lucas Faydherbe, a pupil of Rubens. The construction encountered stability issues, resolved using anchors and iron bands. He ingeniously concealed these with architectural ornamentation. To save weight, he executed two monumental reliefs in plaster. #bearinBelgium
On the banks of the Dijle, in the hamlet of Hanswijk, a ship ran aground in the 10th c and couldn't move, until someone had the idea of bringing the statue of Our Lady to the shore. The boat was able to sail on. People concluded that Mary wished to be worshipped here. #bearinBelgium
In Hoboken, there’s a 100-metre-long legal street art wall along the Jef Van Linden cycle path. A quick excursion before we watch Paris–Roubaix on TV. #bearinBelgium #streetart
Hoegaarden White is the original Belgian wheat beer. Almost 600 years ago, a group of monks in Hoegaarden experimented with adding unique botanical ingredients from all over the world to their traditional wheat beer. #bearinBelgium #smallbearsneedbeer
The Mariadal monastery complex, of which St Roch’s Chapel forms part, is one of the many gems in the rich heritage of the municipality of Hoegaarden. #bearinBelgium
There were 39 breweries in Hoegaarden during the golden (beer) age, the 18th century.
It was a tax haven for brewers. The beer was exported as far as Antwerp, where it was praised for its quality. #bearinBelgium #smallbearsneedbeer
Palm Sunday is the day on which the joyful entry into Jerusalem of Jesus is celebrated. In the Middle Ages, the custom of holding a procession arose. In Hoegaarden the Society of the 12 Apostles was founded in 1631. The oak statue of Christ on a donkey is carried through the streets. #bearinBelgium
Today we went on a guided behind-the-scenes tour at Planckendael Zoo. That was pretty cool. All the animals have their own bucket in which their food is transported. It was a sunny day and there were lots of monkeys outside, playing or lazing about. #bearinBelgium
On the church square stands a 17th-century pillory. Under the Ancien Régime, the magistrates’ court could sentence someone to the pillory. The offender was chained to the post, where they could be mocked by passers-by. “I am innocent!” #bearinBelgium
At the top of the Heistse Berg (the second highest hill in the province of Antwerp) stands a 32-metre-high water tower. The tower pumps water from a water catchment area in Westerlo. It supplies water to the town and the surrounding area. #bearinBelgium
Hof van Riemen is a moated building dating back to the Middle Ages. The entrance gate consists of a walkway with two round arches. #bearinBelgium #heistopdenberg
We come to Heist-op-den-Berg almost every year for a cycling race. But now we're here to have a look around the town for once. #bearinBelgium
Human has bus tickets that expire next week, so we’ll be taking the bus a lot over the next few days... On our way to Heist-op-den-Berg. Bus number 1. #bearinBelgium
The Van der Stucken brothers were German immigrants in Antwerp who chose to join the resistance in 1914. Felix was killed in action at Ramskapelle in October 1914. Edmond spent the entire war in the trenches. A few days before the armistice, he died of Spanish flu. #bearinBelgium
J.H. Laurence was one of the sailors who crossed the Channel with Churchill to defend against a German offensive in the autumn of 1914. The operation ended in disaster. The inscription ‘known to be buried in this cemetery’ is given to those whose exact resting place was unknown. #bearinBelgium
A walk through Schoonselhof Cemetery in Hoboken. In 1914, it was decided that this would be the site of the military cemetery. There are also graves of Belgians who fell in battles abroad, such as in Korea. One of our uncles fought in Korea. I wonder if he knew this soldier. #bearinBelgium
Hallerbos with a friend. Not yet in full bloom, but there are already some lovely wild hyacinths. #walkingisfun #bearinBelgium
Snepkensvijver is one of the oldest nature reserves in Flanders. #bearinBelgium #walkingisfun #herentals
It must be absolutely lovely here when the heather is in bloom. At the moment, there’s mainly silence, the chirping of birds and the bleating of sheep. #bearinBelgium #walkingisfun
Walking in Herentals. Heiberg is part of the Kempense Heuvelrug, a large inland dune. Lots of heather and Corsican pines. #bearinBelgium #walkingisfun
We’re at the Zoo. A guided tour for members. Very interesting. Learned a bit more about the history of the Zoo and how they try to stay relevant these days, despite everything. #bearinBelgium
Because cycling is very popular in Herentals, Alain Welter painted murals of several legendary cyclists (Rik Van Looy, Wout van Aert and Sanne Cant) on a wall in Vest. #bearinBelgium
The pedestrian tunnel at the station in Herentals was revamped by Sam Billen. The Herentalselaar is the name of the tree that connects the two sides of the tunnel. Curious animals are waiting to be discovered. #bearinBelgium
The skate park in Herentals was also fortunate enough to be enriched with a playful mural. Street artist Simon Mannaerts, who is fascinated by people and movement, has created a fitting design in colours and lines on the wall adjacent to the skate park.
For several years now, Herentals has been opting for street art on walls and electricity boxes. These are transformed into works of art that enrich the streetscape and tell the story of Herentals. #bearinBelgium
The Kunstuur exhibits masterpieces from the period 1850-1950. Each painting is accompanied by a story told by a well-known or lesser-known Flemish person. #bearinBelgium
Human is off to the cyclocross. I´m staying in. It´s much too cold. #bearinBelgium ❄️
