From Lede to Aalst

The Dender region is a region in the province of East Flanders. The region takes its name from the 65 kilometer long river Dender that flows into the Scheldt. The Dender meanders through the fairly flat green landscape. It is surrounded by low-lying lakes, with alternating natural wetlands and poplar plantations. In the past, the river mainly had an economic function, but now it is mainly used for pleasure yachts. A visit to Aalst is more than worth it. It is the city of satirical carnival parades and tasty pies, but also the birthplace of Pieter Daens and Louis-Paul Boon. Their life and work is highlighted in't Gasthuys - Stedelijk Museum. Many monuments can be admired on the Grote Markt in Aalst. The Schepenhuis is an imposing building with a belfry. The current building dates from the fifteenth century, the original building was completed in 1225. The Schepenhuis is the oldest preserved of its kind in the Low Countries. The belfry dates from 1460, the chimes (carillon) can still be heard every fifteen minutes. The belfry is on the World Heritage List.