Hasselt, "Capital of taste" is the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg and has 70,000 habitants. Hasselt is located to the "Albertkanaal" and the "Demer", between the "Kempen" and "Haspengouw", in the middle of in the Euregio.

Contents

1 Historical: 2 Transport: 3 Museums and culture: 4 External links:

Historical:

Hasselt was founded in the 7th century on the Helbeek, a tributary of the Demer. The name Hasselt came from ‘Hasaluth’, which means hazel wood. It was one of the better cities of the then county of Loon, whose borders were approximately the same as the current province of Limburg. Hasselt was first given a name in 1165 and shortly thereafter received the much sought after city charter. In 1232 this status was officially confirmed by count Arnold IV. Even though the city of Borgloon was the official capital of this small principality, Hasselt was to become the biggest city thanks to its favourable setting and to the proximity of the count’s castle and the Herkenrode abbey in Kuringen. In 1366 the county of Loon was part of the diocese of Liège and remained so until the annexation by France in 1794. Maastricht became the capital of the area that was then called the Department of the Lower Meuse. After the defeat of Napoleon and the union with Holland, the name Limburg was adopted. Even when Belgium gained its independence, this name was retained and the name ‘Loon’ disappeared. In 1839 Hasselt became the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg

Transport:

It is easy to get to Hasselt because Hasselt is a traffic junction of important traffic-arteries from all directions. The most important traffic-artery is the motorway E313 Luik-Hasselt Hasselt-Antwerp. Further hasselt has been enclosed by 2 ring-ways. The large ring-way must keep the traffic out of the centre of the city. The small ring-way, the so-called "Green Boulevard", must keep the traffic out of the trade centre which is because of this almost pedestrian. There are also important traffic-arteries to Tongeren, Sint-Truiden, Genk, Diest and Eindhoven. You can aso visit Hasselt by plane. The city lies near the airport of Brussels, Luik and the Maastricht-Aachen Airport. Private aircrafts can land in Hasselt itself, on the airport of Kiewit.

Museums and culture:

• The National Genever Museum is housed in a former distillery since 1987. It tells the story of Belgian genever. The fact that the museum is housed in an authentic genever distillery is unique and invaluable. Moreover, it is the only distillery in the Netherlands with a preserved malt-house. The museum has built up an impressive collection of production.

• The municipal museum Stellingwerff-Waerdenhof draws an exciting picture of the history of Hasselt as the central town in the Loon county and the principality of Liège and also as principal town of Belgian Limburg. The museum disposes of a large collection of paintings and sculptures. The Flemish renaissance is represented by a few small, religious works, which are connected with Hasselt through history. The center of the collection is in the paintings from the 19th and 20th century.

• The Old Cemetery in the park is a place of peace and quiet, an oasis of silence near the city. With its iron and stone crosses, big and small grave monuments and burial chapels this cemetery is a reflection of the wealth of the 19th century bourgeoisie. Many rich families and persons of private means, public servants, genever distillers, etc. rival in having the most pompous and eye-catching grave monument as evidence of power and fortune. The central chapel was built up as an information center where one can get acquainted with the history of burying in general, with the burials in Hasselt, the history of the Old Cemetery, the architecture and with the green aspects of the cemetery.

• The Fashion Museum draws a picture of western fashion from the 18th to the 20th century on the basis of original clothing and accessories, fashion illustrations and pictures. The masterpiece of the collection is from the collection of 18th and 19th century clothing of a Belgian noble family. It is a ‘robe à la française’ (French dress) from the middle of the 18th century, the era roccoco. The visitor can see the permanent collection by means of changing positions, developed on the basis of a certain theme, completed with loans. The visit of the museum starts in the attic of the museum where the most ancient clothing is exposed. During the visit, the visitor approaches the contemporary fashion. When the visitor walks outside, he simply sees today's fashion.

• Z33 is located within the rustic surrounding of the Beguinage at Hasselt. The magnificent exhibition halls constitute the ideal signboard for Z33 developing its activities here. Presenting willful, relevant exhibitions of contemporary art and supporting young figurative artists by placing a gallery place at their disposal as well as organizing presentations and workshops, are the pillars on which the activities of the center are based.

• The literary museum has established in a beautiful lord house, near the station, where young and old can go on a read - and look excursion through five permanent exhibitions. There are also changing exhibitions.

• The museum of "Het Heilig Paterke" accommodates all kinds of objects from the parental house of pater Valentinus and from the cloister where he lived. You feel there the environment of its "holiness" and of the 19th centuries. Its deathbed and the house of mourning have been kept.

• The Perfume-O-Theque gives a permanent review of the evolution of the bottle during the last two centuries. The Perfume-O-Theque takes you on a historical and cultural trip in the perfume world with a collection of scent bottles, miniatures, samples, perfume cards, publicity and powdering boxes from the 18th century to date. The visitor of this museum takes home an unforgettable memory: one of the adventures of flavor, but also one of scent of the experience. Perfume smells are indeed imprinted in memories, they are witnesses of an experience.

• The Hollywood Movie Museum is an authentic movie museum that holds a collection of more than 500 unique objects who belonged to the biggest movie stars in the world. There are rare pictures and original posters of the biggest hits in movie history. Movies are shown on screens permanently.

• The Municipal Carillon Museum is located in the tower of the Sint-Quintinus cathedral and throws a light on the history of the tower and the carillon. The cathedral is the result of 8 centuries of construction. Masterpiece is undoubtedly the old tower clock from 1911 that was connected to a clock from 1899. Another unique piece is the 18th century carillon keyboard. In the museum the complete casting process is presented on the basis of slides, a range of models and a video. After climbing the carillon cabin, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

• In Kuringen, a municipality of hasselt, lies the historical site of The Abbey of Herckenrode. Everyone knows the imposing building at Herkenrode, if only from a fleeting glimpse on the E313 motorway. In 1998 the Flemish Region bought a major share of the estate. Land was given in management to the Nature Department and buildings to the Flanders Patrimony. A vision for the future was developed together with the city of Hasselt and a number of other partners. This will be translated into actual actions and realisations in the coming years.

• The Muziek-O-Droom is a unique music centre in Hasselt that caters for both active musicians and passive pop consumers. The range on offer covers various aspects of pop music, ranging from concerts, to education, to rehearsal rooms, and information and advice.

• The Belgium Art Centre is an alternative art centre with a versatile and new supply of cultural activities. It organises concerts, film screenings, dance and theatre, exhibitions and other performances. It also has facilities for active involvement in art, with artistic workshops for beginners and advances learners.

• The cultural centre is the cultural place of Hasselt. It houses two organisations under one roof. "De Doos" is focussed on contemporary dance, theatre, musical, opera, literature, classical music and world music. "De Cirk" combines a wide range of programmes: opera, musical, musical shows, concerts, ballet, cabaret and exploration films. Every year, there are hundreds of shows in the cultural centre.

• As from 2005, there will be in Hasselt each year an event for Visual Arts, Vogue and Design. About fifty regional, national and international artists and designers will show their works. It will become thé event of the autumn in Belgium.

External links:

• Gaz de France Stars http://www.gazdefrancestars.be (WTA-tennis tournament).

• City of Hasselt http://www.hasselt.be (Official site of the city of Hassselt, information available in English).

• Grenslandhallen http://www.grenslandhallen.be

• Ethias Arena http://www.ethiasarena.be

• Herkenrode http://www.herkenrode.be/ (Abbey of Herkenrode).