Belgium > City walk Hasselt

On the second floor of the hotel, there is an extensive breakfast buffet—a great start to the day. Around ten o’clock, we walk into Hasselt. We have two walking route descriptions of the city center: one covering the highlights of Hasselt and another focusing on street art murals. We start the latter at the station. We follow the route past several large murals. Since 2010, Hasselt has become a vibrant street art city, with numerous murals decorating the urban landscape. Many of these works were created during street art festivals. Sometimes it takes a bit of searching to find the exact locations of the paintings. Along the way, we pass the cathedral and the Beguinage. On the other side of the center, we decide to leave the route and walk toward the Japanese Garden, crossing the Kapermolenpark. The Japanese Garden in Hasselt is the largest authentic Japanese garden in Europe.

Belgium - Street art on the corner of Badderijstraat and Zuivelmarkt

At the entrance, an admission fee of seven euros is charged. By now it’s already half past one, and we decide to spend the remaining time in the city center instead—so we skip the garden. From here, we pick up the highlights route. We pass the Grote Markt, the Beguinage, and the city hall “De Nieuwen Bauw.” At a terrace, we order something to drink. So far, the weather has been nice, but it starts to turn. Clouds gather and the wind picks up. Before the rain begins, we continue to the cathedral. Saint Quentin’s Cathedral, located at the Vismarkt, is a Gothic church with a rich history dating back to the 11th or 12th century. Inside, an organ concert begins. From the back of the church, we take in the interior. Further along the route, we pass the basilica.

Belgium - The historic town hall houses Het Kunstuur Hasselt

The Virga Jesse Basilica houses the famous Virga Jesse statue of Mary from 1685. Finally, we arrive at the Holy Paterke Church, where the grave of Saint Valentinus Paquay is located. We end the afternoon with a beer on a terrace. To be safe, we choose a spot under a canopy—which turns out to be a good decision, as the first drops of rain soon begin to fall. With our umbrella open, we walk back to the hotel. In the evening, it is still raining. We decide to have dinner at the restaurant where we had a drink earlier in the day. Inside, it’s busy, but there is still a table available for us. I choose a meat stew. Afterwards, we return to the hotel. Hopefully, it will be dry again tomorrow.