Aalst (East Flanders) - Aalst (Oost-Vlaanderen)

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Aalst is a city in East Flanders.

Info

Arrive

By train

  •    railway station.

By bus

By car

Aalst is located on the E40 (exit 19) between Brussels and Ghent.

Travel around

By bus

The Lijn buses also run in and around Aalst.

By taxi

Taxis are available at the station.

By car

By bike

For a large number of rental bikes: contact De Cycling.

on foot

The city center of Aalst is fairly compact and everything can be easily reached on foot.

To look at

Throughout the city are a number of statues that remind residents and visitors of some historic Aalst figures who had a major impact on life in Aalst and by extension in Belgium as well as elements of local culture.

  • Statue of Dirk Martens, Large market, e-mail: . This Aalst native is generally regarded as the importer of the printing press in the southern Netherlands. In 1473 he founded his first studio in Aalst.
  • Statue of Louis Paul Boon, Old Fish Market 13, e-mail: . Louis Paul Boon focused on describing the eventful social history of Aalst and its surroundings. His hometown and its history are his main source of inspiration. His novels 'De Kapellekesbaan' and 'Menuet' became his most translated works and with this he was nominated as a candidate for Nobel Prize winner.
  • Statue of Valerius De Saedeleer, Old Fish Market, e-mail: . Painter and one of the main representatives of the first period of the Latem school. Some of his masterpieces are exhibited in 't Gasthuys - municipal museum on the Oude Vismarkt. Among his masterpieces you can see the statue of the artist.
  • Statue Priest Adolf Daens, Yard Square, e-mail: . Priest Adolf Daens campaigned for political and social reforms and championed the interests of workers, peasants and small business owners.
  • Statue Ondineke, Old Fish Market 13 and Old Town Hall Courtyard (Grote Markt), e-mail: . Ondineke is the main character from the well-known book 'De Kapellekensbaan' by Louis Paul Boon. The bronze statue of Ondineke, designed by Frans De Vree, was originally located on the Kapellekensbaan. It is now in 't Gasthuys - Stedelijk Museum. An exact replica can be seen in the courtyard of the town hall on the Grote Markt.
  • Carnival Monument, hop market, e-mail: . The bronze statue by the Aalst artist Hendrik Muylaert has been a symbol of carnival celebrating Aalst since 1997. It depicts a naked, sexless Voil Jeanet who takes off a shoe in unsteady balance. More information about the statue, the Voil Jeanet and her typical attributes can be found on the utility cabinets near the statue.
  • Keizersplein, Keizersplein, e-mail: . In the 18th and 19th centuries, the bourgeoisie built typical mansions on the remnants of the then medieval ramparts that still characterize the square today.
  • station, Station Square, e-mail: . The railway station, along with the surrounding district, was designed in 1852 by Jean-Pierre Cluysenaer. His inspiration for the design came from the colonnade of the Borse of Amsterdam. The battlements, the corner turrets and the central battle tower are reminiscent of a medieval castle. Thanks to the master plan by architect Christian Kieckens, the station environment is transformed into a pleasant and dynamic meeting point for bustling Aalst.

To do

  • Visit the famous carnival procession from Aalst. It takes place annually from Saturday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
  • Visit Aalst, Hopmarkt 51, 9300 Aalst, ☎ 32 53 723880, e-mail: . Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun (and holidays) 13:00-17:00. Tourist information office. The information office is centrally located on the Hopmarkt, close to the Grote Markt. An informative video can be viewed free of charge during opening hours.
  • Belfry (Tettentours), Large market, e-mail: . The eye-catcher on the Grote Markt is the old aldermen's house with belfry tower and district house, popularly called the belfry. The Belfry is therefore not one large building, but consists of three different buildings. At the moment it is only possible to book a guided group visit for the Belfry. The tour lasts two hours and costs €60.00, with a maximum of 20 people per group. Long-term individual visits are also possible. Contact the tourist information office on the Hopmarkt for more information. €60,00.
  • Museum 't Gasthuys, Old Fish Market 13, e-mail: . The museum is located in the oldest core of the city and got its name from the old hospital that used to be here. The story of the city and its boroughs is discussed with attention to the various aspects that make up the character and individuality (the DNA) of Aalst. In the attic you will learn more about the history and the typical features and elements of Aalst Carnival. In the new museum section you can admire our collection of the Aalst painter Valerius De Saedeleer. also look at http://www.aalst.be/overzicht/dnaalst For more information.
  • Saint Martin's Church, Priest Daensplein, e-mail: . The Sint-Martinuskerk is the main parish church of the city of Aalst and a style example of Brabant Gothic. From July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017, the church is closed to the general public. Peek into the church porch and watch the contractors and archaeologists at work. Every weekday from 08:30 to 15:00. The reopening of the church is scheduled for January 2018, weekly Masses will resume from April 2018.
  • Borse of Amsterdam, Large market, e-mail: . On the Grote Markt is an iconic building in Renaissance architecture on the site of the butcher's house in the Middle Ages. To the left of the belfry, on the site of the former butcher's house, the current Borse was built in 1630. The building is built in a Renaissance architectural style with an open gallery in brick and sandstone. The name refers to the tavern on the Lille-Amsterdam trade route. There is also a restaurant.
  • Town Hall and Mansion, Large market, e-mail: . The neoclassical building (the old town hall) along the market side was built around 1830 under the direction of the Ghent architect Louis Roelandt. Behind the facade, decorated with the city's coat of arms, is the city hall on the two floors. This is only accessible when accompanied by a guide. Around the courtyard are the Rococo-style buildings of the former mansion. They were built as residence and service buildings for the Main College of the Land of Aalst.
  • Fire Museum, Industrielaan 23B, 9320 Erembodegem, e-mail: . A visit to the fire brigade museum in Erembodegem is definitely worth it. The museum houses a collection of fire brigade items that is unique at home and abroad! A unique collection of shiny fire engines, an immense collection of fire fighting equipment and an impressively restored statue of Roger Lambert from Nivelles are the showpieces in this museum. A visit is possible every day by appointment. €1,00.
  • city ​​park, Park avenue, e-mail: . The city park, located just 800m from the Grote Markt, was created in 1915 under the impulse of the then alderman Désiré De Wolf. The ships wanted to provide work for the Aalst men during the First World War to protect them from the German requisition. The park is conceived as a spacious recreation resort with walking paths and play areas around two fishing ponds: the balloon pond and the mirror pond and has more than 100 different tree species. During the summer months of July and August, the Engie Parkies concerts are organized every Monday evening (free entrance).

To buy

Anyone who enjoys a day of shopping is undoubtedly at the right place in Aalst. It is the ideal destination for lovers of pedestrian shopping streets, snoops in exclusive boutiques and trend spotters. Aalst has a unique open-air shopping structure: five shopping streets that open onto the Grote Markt together form the economic heart of the city. In addition to the large chains, you can also stroll along the many trendy boutiques. Here you will find all the information.

Food

Going out

stay overnight

all around

Four rural sub-municipalities of Aalst, namely Baardegem, Herdersem, Meldert and Moorsel, form the Faluintjes region. These four sub-municipalities are practically the 'green lung' of Aalst. Between the abbey Affligem and the moated castle of Moorsel is the nature reserve 'De Faluintjes'. There are a number of excellent cycling and walking routes that run through the Faluintjes and give you the chance to soak up the atmosphere in this beautiful region. These brochures are available at the tourist information office on the Hopmarkt.

Dendermonde, which is only 13 km from Aalst, is an interesting cultural city.

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