Last Updated on twenty first March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
You can be forgiven for by no means having heard of Tienen earlier than. After all, it’s a tiny city of just below 35000 residents which isn’t practically as common as different Belgian locations resembling Brussels, Bruges, and even Ghent. However, if you end up within the coronary heart of sugar manufacturing nation, then right here’s your information to the finest issues to do in Tienen.
Introducing Tienen
Please observe that Tienen is within the Flemish talking a part of Belgium which is called Flanders. With this being stated, it’s simply 5km away from Wallonia, which is the French talking a part of the nation. In French, Tienen is called Tirlemont.
Unfortunately, Tienen has a little bit of a status for not being essentially the most aesthetically pleasing a part of Belgium. Luckily, it’s considerably redeemed by its spectacular duo of Gothic church buildings and distinctive historical past because the centre of sugar manufacturing in Belgium.
The historical past of Tienen dates all the way in which again to the Middle ages, when it was seemingly dominated over by the German household, the Thienen household, therefore its title. Today, the largest business on the town is sugar refinery.
On the japanese fringes of city, there’s a big sugar beet processing manufacturing unit, which is called the Sugar refinery of Tienen (Tiense Suikerraffinaderij in Flemish – Raffinerie Tirlemontoise in French).
If you might be planning to spend a while having fun with Belgium, remember to try our guides on the best-kept secrets and techniques of Belgium and our good lengthy weekend in Belgium itinerary.
Things to do in Tienen
Wander across the historic district
You’ll solely want an hour or two to wander across the historic centre because it contains of a smattering of cobbled streets, usually Belgian cafés, and battle memorials. There was once a sugar museum, detailing the manufacturing of the candy stuff within the space, although this has now completely closed down.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Poel
The foremost church on the town dominates the largest sq. in Tienen (Grote Markt), which can be the place the city corridor is positioned. Considered to be one of many best examples of Brabant High Gothic, the choir dates again to the center of the 14th-century.
The transept and the tower date again to the Fifteenth-century. Unfortunately, there was a fantastic fireplace within the Seventeenth-century, of which the ensuing renovations led to the set up of a baroque spire.
Though the ecclesiastical constructing started life as a pilgrimage chapel, it has been the principle parish church of Tienen because the starting on the Nineteenth-century. Unfortunately the church appears to function at random opening hours, although it’s free to enter for those who do get the possibility to enter.
Sint-Germanus Church
Yet one other ecclesiastical constructing price trying out in Tienen is the church devoted to Sint-Germanus. This church was constructed within the Twelfth-century and boasts an altarpiece by the Nineteenth-century painter Gustaaf Wappers.
Its belfry is of such significance and sweetness that it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage Site checklist of Belfries of Belgium and France. the church is free to go to, thought its opening hours stay considerably erratic. Nevertheless, do go in for those who get the possibility.
Het Toreke museum
If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the historical past of Tienen and its environment, then you’ll be able to try the Het Toreke museum, which is just open on Fridays and Saturdays between 10 AM and 5 PM. Exhibitions are predominantly centered on three themes: work, prayer and celebration.
City Hall
Situated proper subsequent to the principle church of the city, town corridor was inbuilt 1836and its Corinthian columns are constructed within the neo-classical model. Unfortunately, there’s no consensus of when the primary city corridor was constructed as a lot of Tienen was burnt down in 1635.
Collage of Tienen
Truth be instructed, among the finest locations to go to in Tienen is the Collage, that are a few of the most fascinating ruins in Belgium and could be discovered on the fringes of city.
Also generally known as the ruins of Paterskerk (St Peter’s), the positioning is free to go to and there’s parking close by on the road. It could effectively shock you, however this church truly solely burnt down in 1976, although, after all, the crumbling ruins look a lot, a lot older than this!
Getting to Tienen
Tienen is served by its personal practice station, which is positioned on the railway line between Brussels and Liège. The city is roughly midway between the 2 cities, with a forty minute practice trip to get to both one.
Tienen is positioned only a ten minute practice trip away from Leuven, a pleasant college metropolis that could be a little off the crushed path however is a must-visit for many who love attractive structure, off the crushed path places, and exquisite inexperienced areas. After all, Leuven is dwelling to the oldest botanical backyard within the Netherlands.
Enjoyed studying about the very best of Tienen? Pin this text now, learn it once more later:
Sophie Nadeau loves canines, books, journey, pizza, and historical past. A fan of all issues France associated, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the following sundown shot or consuming one thing candy. She at the moment splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.