Tongeren, Eben and Shepherds

Explore a picturesque part of Belgium and cycle through the Tongeren area. Tongeren once started 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. Since the second half of the last century, Tongeren has been developed as a trading center and tourist attraction. The town of Eben-Emael is also worth a visit if you are prepared to conquer some tough 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 arrive at Tumulus van Emael - a gigantic burial ground from the Gallo-Roman era. Characteristic hairpin bends make a bike ride across the plateau a real adventure. And in Eben-Emael is the largest fortress 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, taking 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 is first mentioned in 1353, but after the destruction of the building, the outbuildings and the striking southern corner tower were built in 1611. A restaurant with a Michelin star is located in the building. The well-known corridors 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 Sint-Hubertuskerk from 1938 with its limestone tower, are also great buildings.