Hasselt is a Belgian city and municipality, and capital and largest city of the province of Limburg in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The Hasselt municipality includes the original city of Hasselt, plus the old communes of Sint-Lambrechts-Herk, Wimmertingen, Kermt, Spalbeek, Kuringen, Stokrooie, Stevoort and Runkst, as well as the hamlets and parishes of Kiewit, Godsheide and Rapertingen.

Sights

• The Abbey and Refugehuis of Herkenrode in Kuringen
• Kiewit Airfield (recreational)
• The Japanese gardens, the largest in Europe
• The National Bank building, by architect Henri Van Dievoet.
• St. Quentin’s Cathedral
• The Virga Jesse Basilica
• National jenever museum

Events

• The Virga Jesse festival, featuring a Procession of the historic wooden statue of infant Jesus with Mary, is celebrated every seven years, most recently in August 2010.
• The yearly “Jeneverfeesten” celebrate the history of the jenever beverage in Hasselt.
• Hasselt celebrates Carnival, but at a slightly different date than most places.
• Many events take place in the Ethias Arena, the largest arena in Belgium.
• Kiewit is the location of the yearly Pukkelpop (Pimplepop) festival, one of Europe’s largest alternative music festivals with over a hundred concerts, at the end of August in the suburb of Kiewit. Rimpelrock (Wrinklerock), a festival with music for an older audience, is held at the same location, one week earlier.
• Like in most Belgian cities, there is an annual Kermesse, on a date associated with the local church’s patron saint, in this case Saint Lambert, which takes place in September.
• The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005 was held in Hasselt.
• The Grand Prix van Hasselt is a cyclo-cross race held in November which is part of the BPost Bank Trophy.

Shopping

Food & Drinks