Tongeren, Eben and Herderen

Explore a picturesque part of Belgium and cycle through the area around Tongeren. Tongeren started out as a Gallo-Roman civilian settlement in 15 BC. In the following centuries, the city began to play an increasingly important role in the history of the Low Countries. Tongeren obtained market rights in the second century and a seat of the first diocese in the third century. From the second half of the last century, Tongeren has been developed as a trade center and tourist attraction. The town of Eben-Emael is also worth a visit, if you are prepared to conquer steep height differences. Despite the fact that it is only a small place, there are nice sights. The tower of Eben-Ezer stands proudly on the horizon and it is a great experience to cycle across the Plateau of Eben-Emael and you will soon reach Tumulus of Emael - a gigantic burial ground from Gallo-Roman times. Characteristic hairpin bends make a bike ride across the plateau a real adventure. And Eben-Emael is home to the largest fort in Belgium, Fort Eben-Emael. The fort was part of the fortress belt around Liège and had seventeen bunkers that were connected underground. It was considered the strongest fortress in the world and seemed impregnable to enemy forces. Nevertheless, the Germans managed to capture the fort in 1940, using the advantage of surprise, speed and new military techniques. There are also interesting things to see in Kanne. How about Château Neercanne, which is the only terraced castle in the Netherlands. The castle was built on Roman defenses. The caves of those works are included in the castle and are used as a wine cellar. The current building was first mentioned in 1353, but after the building was destroyed, the outbuildings and the striking southern corner tower were rebuilt in 1611. The building houses a restaurant with a Michelin star. The well-known tunnel systems of the marl caves are located behind the castle. In addition to the imposing castle, the Baroque Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, built from marl, and the St. Hubertus Church from 1938 with its limestone tower, are also fantastic buildings.