A Flemish castle route

Explore a picturesque part of Belgium and cycle through Tongeren and the small villages surrounding this beautiful city. 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 rich history of the city is still clearly visible. The old Roman city walls remain standing, but who knows what to look for can also find other Roman remains. Remnants of a temple complex, an old Roman aqueduct and a gigantic burial mound covered with beech trees (the Beukenberg) are all beautiful glimpses into the past. This route also takes you past De La Motte Castle. This centuries-old and romantic accommodation offers numerous possibilities. There is a café and a brasserie where you can have a delicious lunch. The dishes are reasonably priced and will taste good if you have already completed a few kilometers of cycling. The romantic terrace is located on the beautiful moat. Don't forget to taste the famous Motte beer here, which is the castle's own beer brand. The next sight on the route is Rullingen Castle. This castle was replaced in the Middle Ages by a typical Maasland water castle. The castle was adapted in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the then applicable housing standards. A coach house has been added and a beautiful English garden to the south of the castle. The castle served as a residence for many years, but in recent years it housed a hotel-restaurant. However, this hotel went bankrupt and closed in May 2013. The Castle of Betho was built in the thirteenth century. The castle farm consists of two parts and has four wings. The wings are built in classical style and have a southern corner tower built in the fifteenth century. The other parts of the castle were thoroughly modified in the seventeenth century, resulting in rococo elements in the contemporary castle. From here you cycle to Chateau de Hex, the last stop on this tour. Particularly special is the adjacent park, which is one of the first designed gardens on the continent. The park remains almost untouched to this day and has exactly the same appearance as it did 300 years ago. At the castle you will also find a beautiful rose garden with the most diverse roses.