Unesco världsarv i Belgien - 13 intressanta platser

Writer: Helena Bergström

Have you seen any of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium? There are currently 13, and many of them are very interesting. We have visited five of the Belgian World Heritage Sites so far, but hope to see a few more. Which ones have you visited? Which ones are you curious about?

Table of contents

Unesco World Heritage in Belgium

At the time of writing, there are a total of 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium, although the number may increase over time if more World Heritage Sites are designated. World Heritage sites are those cultural and natural environments in the world that are considered to be by far the most outstanding and of great importance to all mankind.

When it comes to World Heritage Sites, while some are more worth seeing than others, it's fun to keep track. And you can definitely find some gems! Here is the full list of Belgian World Heritage Sites. We have visited numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 and 9. Have you visited any of them?

1. Flemish starter farms

'Beguines' were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. In the 13th century they founded 'béguinages', a kind of closed community made up of houses, churches and green spaces. These buildings today are reminiscent of a medieval tradition. We dropped by one of them during a guided tour of Bruges ...

VAR? In several places in Flanders, such as Bruges and Antwerp.

A guide points out starter farms in Bruges

2. La Grand-Place in Brussels

The Grote Markt, or Grand Place in French, is the main square in Brussels and a well-known World Heritage Site in Belgium. It is an impressive collection of grand and beautiful buildings, mainly from the late 17th century. The square acts as a magnet for tourists and others, and we were as impressed as everyone else when we visited Brussels in December 2018.

VAR? Grote Markt, Brussels
READ MORE: 18 things to do in Brussels as a tourist

3. The four boat lifts on the Canal du Centre

The four hydraulic boat lifts on the historic Canal du Centre are impressive industrial monuments. Together with the canal itself, they showcase an industrial landscape from the late 19th century. The lifts were built around the turn of the century and are the only ones in the world that remain in their original working order.

VAR? La Louvière and Le Roeulx (Hainaut): Houdeng-Goegnies, Houdeng-Aimeries, Strépy-Bracquegnies and Thieu (southwest of Brussels)

Boat lift in Le Roeulx - a Unesco World Heritage Site in Belgium, photo: Unsplash

4. Belfries (beffroies) in Belgium and France

The World Heritage Site includes a list of 33 bell towers (beffroier) in Belgium and 23 in northern France. The belfries were built between the 11th and 17th centuries and showcase Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. In other parts of Europe, the focus was on town halls, but here the emphasis was on bell towers. We've seen some of them, including in Ghent and Bruges.

VAR? 26 belfries in Flanders and 7 in Wallonia

Beffroi - Unesco världsarv i Belgien — Beffroi in Bruges

5. the historic centre of Bruges

Bruges is a unique example of medieval architecture and is perhaps one of the most popular World Heritage Sites in Belgium. The city has retained its historic structure over the centuries, with many examples of the Gothic style. The city is also extremely charming with canals, bridges, boat trips and interesting museums. We highly recommend a visit here!

VAR? Bruges is located in western Belgium (10 miles north-west of Brussels).
READ MORE: 13 things to see and do in Bruges, Belgium

6. Significant works by architect Victor Horta in Brussels

Architect Victor Horta is responsible for four important buildings in Brussels: Hôtel Tassel, Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel van Eetvelde and Maison & Atelier Horta. Victor Horta was one of the earliest promoters of Art Nouveau and was a pioneer in the late 19th century. The buildings are open-plan, light-filled and have curved lines.

VAR? Hôtel Tassel: Rue Paul Emile Janson, Ixelles, Hôtel Solvay: Avenue Louise 224, Hôtel van Eetvelde: Avenue Palmerston 4, Maison & Atelier Horta: Rue Américaine 25.

7. The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes

The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes are the largest and earliest collection of ancient mines in Europe. They are also remarkable for all the technical solutions used.

VAR? Rue de Nouvelles 7032, Mons

*Photo:* Prehistoric mines of Spiennes Ines sAll Creative Commons

8. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. This impressive building is constructed in the Gothic style with many towers and sculptures.

VAR? Place de l'Evêché 1, Tournai

Notre Dame-katedralen i Tournai - Unesco världsarv i Belgien — Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai, photo: Pixabay

9. Plantin-Moretus Museum

The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a printing and publishing house dating back to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The printing house is associated, among other things, with the history of the invention and spread of typography. The museum, which tells the story of bookbinder Christophe Plantin, became our favourite museum when we visited Antwerp in 2018.

VAR? Vrijdagmarkt 22-23, Antwerp
READ MORE: 12 things to see and do in Antwerp

Antwerpen museum - Unesco världsarv i Belgien

10. Bokur forests in the Carpathians and other regions of Europe

This vast beech forest extends across no less than 12 countries. It began to spread at the end of the last ice age from isolated areas in the Alps and the Carpathians, among others, and is still spreading.

VAR? Spanning 12 countries

Urbokskog och andra Unesco världsarv i Belgien

11. the palace of Stoclet

Banker and art collector Adolphe Stoclet commissioned this impressive house from a leading architect in 1905. Completed in 1911, the house and garden marked a turning point in Art Nouveau, modelling Art Deco and the modern movement in architecture.

VAR? 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre

12. Major mines in Wallonia

Wallonia has coal mines from the 19th and 20th centuries. The mining areas showcase architecture from the early industrial era, and there are also industrial traces from the 17th century.

VAR? Wallonia (Grand-Hornu in Boussu, Bois-du-Luc in La Louvière, Bois du Cazier in Charleroi and Blegny-Mine in Blegny)

13. Architectural works by Le Corbusier

17 sites have been selected from the works of architect and artist Le Corbusier. Many of these are in France, and some are in exotic parts of the world. One of the buildings, Maison Guiette, is located in Antwerp, Belgium.

VAR? Antwerp (and several other countries in the world)

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium have you seen?

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium have you seen? Which ones are you curious about?

READ MORE: Travelling to Belgium - your guide to Belgium's best destinations

14 Comments

Add yours →

Geddfish says:

I was travelling to the EU for the 2014 elections and we visited Brussels, of course, and Bruges....
So 2 and 4 I have visited.
Happy Thursday, hugs!

14 January 2021 - 8:31

- bmlarsreseblogg says:
  
  Belgium is one of the countries in Europe we have seen far too little of. Bruges is the only place we explored so we have been up in the Beffroi and of course seen the centre both on foot and from the water.
  Brussels is high on our list...
  
  14 January 2021 - 9:56
  
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Britt-Marie and Lars, Bruges is very charming! We also liked Ghent a lot! And it's lucky that you have a little left to explore 😉.
    
    14 January 2021 - 18:00
    
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Geddfish, EU trip sounds exciting! And both Brussels and Bruges are nice and interesting cities! Have fun!
  
  14 January 2021 - 18:00
  
Ama de casa says:

I really haven't seen much of Belgium. Brussels, but hardly anything else. Once I slept all the way through the country when we were on our way to France with the car. Probably should have kept my eyes open, I realise now 🙂.

14 January 2021 - 10:07

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  You probably slept well! 😉 And luckily Belgium is still there! 🙂
  
  14 January 2021 - 18:01
  
Ewa says:

Visited Brussels several times. The food is fantastic
Also visited Bruges and Ghent. So I tick 1, 2, 4, 5, 6.
Still on my bucket list is Antwerp (love all kinds of architecture). The boat lifts also sound exciting to visit. Thanks for that tip.

14 January 2021 - 10:18

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Not bad!!! 🙂 Antwerp is an interesting city in general, with chocolate, diamond museum, brewery, underground passages and other things 🙂 !
  
  14 January 2021 - 18:02
  
Ann says:

I've never actually been to Belgium... hm, maybe we should do something about that?!

14 January 2021 - 13:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Belgium is definitely worth visiting! 🙂
  
  14 January 2021 - 18:03
  
BP says:

I have only visited the Grande Place which I thought was the best part of Brussels. Strangely enough, I am not very fond of Belgium - except for moules frites so;-). I think it's quite dirty and messy. That impression was confirmed by a Belgian I mentioned it to. He agreed. The reason is that Walloons and Flemings rarely agree on anything, and then it remains undone.

14 January 2021 - 19:32

Liniz+Travel says:

Just Bruges actually. Have a nice weekend, hugs

15 January 2021 - 9:17

Marias Memoarer says:

I have not been to Belgium yet, but Bruges and bokur forests attract a little extra much 🙂 Wallonia would also be interesting to get acquainted with, as it is claimed that about half the village I come from is descended from this Walloon people who came here from Sweden with their forging skills.

20 January 2021 - 23:25

Camilla says:

In the process of planning a trip to Brussels. Good starting point for hunting/visiting world heritage sites. Can probably do quite a few in a long weekend.

06 July 2021 - 19:57

Unesco World Heritage sites in Belgium - 13 places of interest

Writer: Helena Bergström

Unesco World Heritage in Belgium

1. Flemish starter farms

2. La Grand-Place in Brussels

3. The four boat lifts on the Canal du Centre

4. Belfries (beffroies) in Belgium and France

5. the historic centre of Bruges

6. Significant works by architect Victor Horta in Brussels

7. The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes

8. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Tournai

9. Plantin-Moretus Museum

10. Bokur forests in the Carpathians and other regions of Europe

11. the palace of Stoclet

12. Major mines in Wallonia

13. Architectural works by Le Corbusier

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Belgium have you seen?

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14 Comments

Geddfish says:

bmlarsreseblogg says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Ewa says:

Helena says:

Ann says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Liniz+Travel says:

Marias Memoarer says:

Camilla says:

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