The best city hikes and walks around Maaseik

The De Heerenlaakplas originated from gravel extraction. Due to the Maas water that flowed into it, gravel pits were formed. Around the beginning of the 21st century, gravel extraction ceased and the area was repurposed. Heerenlaak became a recreation park for water sports enthusiasts, hikers, and cyclists.

Facade chapels were erected for various reasons. The main reason was to protect the property and its inhabitants. Other reasons included gratitude (for healing, safe return home, or surviving a plague epidemic) and devotion to a saint. A final reason was the necessity to allow a procession to take place.

Originally, a Romanesque church stood on this site, likely founded by the Count of Loon. In 1078, Countess Ermengardis donated the patronage rights of this church to the chapter of the Sint-Bartolomeüskerk in Liège. In the mid-15th century, construction began on the church in the Maasland Gothic style, starting with the choir, which is presumed to date from 1452. The nave is from the early 16th century. The Romanesque tower was retained. In 1506, a Chapel of Saint Anne was built on the orders of Arnold van Mewen and his wife Aleydis Bormans, forming the present southern transept arm. In 1606, the spire was blown off by the wind, damaging the Our Lady's Chapel, which had been built in 1469. The chapel and tower were repaired. In 1831, the tower was again dilapidated and was restored. From 1901-1902, the church was enlarged, during which the tower was demolished and a new one built, the nave was extended westward by one bay, side aisles were added, as well as the northern transept arm and the sacristy.

The Itterpoort was the most important gate, in the east, on the current Opitterstraat, in the direction of Maaseik and Roermond. The Opitterpoort consisted of two horseshoe-shaped towers. There was a very narrow passage. In the Middle Ages, people and animals were a lot smaller than they are now. The white house on the left when looking into Opitterstraat has a reinforced facade to absorb the pressure from the earthen city wall. The old facade is on Opitterstraat. The doorway is still clearly visible in the center, with a painted-over house number on the left. In the side facade of this white house, against the business at number 30, there is a stamping booth for the night watch.

In this place formerly stood the dye tower. Originally there was no city gate here. It was built at the end of the 16th century at the current Stationswal; due to fire hazard, the linen dyeing had been housed here. A glass window provides a glimpse into the remains of the old tower.

The city of Bree had the Gewanthuis as its town hall, which was located on the Vrijthof. Here the municipal council and the aldermen's bench convened, the city guard was stationed there, and markets were held under this building. On the same spot as the Gewanthuis, this building was erected from 1587-1591, with a slate roof, a small tower, and partly brick walls. It housed the magistracy, the court, the aldermen, the rifle guilds, the fire brigade, the city guard, and a modest arsenal with rifles, fuses, and bullets. In 1647 the facade was renewed, but in 1755 a new main facade was completed in the Louis XIV style, with a rococo-style pediment. On this is a relief depicting the battle of Saint Michael with the dragon, as well as three coats of arms: that of Bree, that of the Austrian emperor, and that of Johan Theodoor of Bavaria, the then prince-bishop of Liège. The old town hall served as such until 1969, after which, among other things, the tourist service found accommodation there, and since 1975, the Bree Local History Museum. The town hall moved to a modern building on Grauwe Torenwal, to occupy the former Sint-Michielscollege in 2004.

The platform is a stone pillar that symbolizes the urban freedoms in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. The Perron points to Bree's status as one of the 22 “Good Cities” of the Prince-Bishopric. The pillar is crowned by a pinecone and a cross, the prince-episcopal symbols.

The Dekenij in the Hof van de Deken was designed by the Jaminé architect family and dates from 1864. It is built in the neo-Renaissance style. The double house has two storeys under a slate gable roof. The two side gables are stepped gables. The building was erected in brick combined with limestone speckle layers. The dean lived here alone, but he had to keep an apartment in the building free for the bishop should he come on a visit.