Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

168  BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG REGION B Y REGION

miraculous wooden statue of
the Virgin Mary named the
Black Virgin was brought here,
making Halle a major
pilgrimage centre, visited by
nobility and royalty, includ ing
Edward I of England, Louis XI
of France and Philip, Duke of
Burgundy (who died here in
1404). The statue is the most
precious treasure of the
St-Martinusbasiliek. This
14th-century basilica is a
fascinating confection. Its tower,
The medieval castle of Bouchout at the Nationale Plantentuin with a 54-bell carillon, has a
17th-century lantern. Next to it
t Nationale Protestants in 1579. When stands the octagonal baptistery
Plantentuin it was re-established, the with a curious ball-shaped top.
St-Servaasbasiliek was built in The sublime interior contains
Nieuwlaan 38, Meise; 12 km (7 miles) glorious Baroque style with a many treasures, including a
N of Brussels. Road Map C2. Tel (02) soaring interior that rises to a second Black Virgin. Cannon
2600970. @ Open Apr–Sep: large lantern over the crossing. balls in the porch are relics of
9:30am–6:30pm daily, Oct–Nov: The black-and-white marble sieges that occurred in 1489
9:30am–5pm daily. & 7 0 =
∑ br.fgov.be altarpiece clamours with and 1580. Close to the choir is
apostles, prophets, trumpeting the tomb and effigy of Joachim,
The Domein van Bouchout is the cherubs and garlands, reaching infant son of the Louis XI who
old estate of the 14th-century a crescendo at the shining died in 1460 while Louis was
castle of Bouchout. In 1938, the cross. The oak pulpit and the hiding from his father under the
Belgian state bought the domain elaborate confessionals were protection of Philip the Good.
and made it the Nationale the work of noted Antwerp-
Plantentuin (National Botanic born sculptor and architect R St-Martinusbasiliek
Garden), essentially a research Hendrik Verbruggen (c.1655– Grote Markt. Open 8am–6pm daily.
institution that is also open to 1724). The tower contains a & tower and crypt (treasury).
the public. carillon of 48 bells.
Marked paths take visitors
around the arboretum and lake, i Kasteel van
and to the greenhouses which u Halle
contain some 18,000 plant 19 km (10 miles) SW of Brussels. Beersel
species from all of the world’s Road Map C2. * 36,830. £ @ Lotsestraat, Beersel; 9 km (6 miles)
climates. The Balat Greenhouse n Grote Markt 1; (02) 3564259. NE of Halle. Road Map C2. Tel (02)
was designed by Alphonse ∑ toerisme-halle.be 3591646. Open Mar–Nov: 10am–6pm
Balat in 1854, in advance of daily. &
his spectacular greenhouses Since its early history, Halle has
at Laeken (see p88). The played an important role as a Rising out of its broad moat, the
Plantenpaleis (Plant Palace), strategic border town between 14th-century castle of Beersel
a cluster of 35 hothouses, Brabant and Hainaut. In 1267, a cuts a distinctive profile. Its
includes Victoria House with three semicircular red-brick
its giant lillies. towers have robust exterior
walls, while their flat, step-
y St-Servaasbasiliek gabled sides face inwards onto
a galleried courtyard. The castle
Grimbergen was badly damaged dur ing
the 1489 rebellion against
Kerkplein 1, Grimbergen; 2 km (1 mile)
E of Meise. Road Map C2. Tel (02) Maximilian I (see p44), but was
2724060. n Prinsenstraat 22; (02) rebuilt. It became a cotton
2601296. Open 7am–6pm daily. 7 factory in the 19th century,
∑ abdijgrimbergen.be but fell into disrepair and was
restored to its present condition
The town of Grimbergen is only in the 20th century.
well known for its abbey of
the Premonstratensian Order Environs
(see p167) and its abbey beer. Located 4 km (2 miles) to the
Founded by St Norbert in 1128, The sacred Black Virgin at the southwest, Provinciedomein
the abbey was des troyed by St-Martinusbasiliek in Halle Huizingen is the old estate of a
For hotels and restaurants see p268 and 286–8

168-169_EW_Belgium.indd 168 18/10/16 3:01 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm