Stadhuis

Built in the 15th century from the profits of the city’s once thriving cloth trade, the City Hall is well-known for its highly decorative, carved façade depicting folk tales and biblical stories. The niches in-between its windows contain 236 19th century statues representing artists, scholars, local dignitaries and patron saints of the parishes. Visitors can be taken on guided tours of the interior including the three highly decorated reception rooms, although the exterior tends to be more impressive.

Groot Begijnhof

Established in the early 13th century, the Groot Begijnhof was once one of the largest béguinages in Belgium and was home to several hundred Béguines (women who dedicated their lives to God without taking vows, who set up enclosed communities to meet their spiritual and material needs). Nowadays the buildings are used as student residences but there is still an air of peace and tranquillity amongst the complex of 72 red-brick cottages that are set amongst cobbled streets and grassed lawns.

Arenberg Castle

Once the home of the de Croy family and dating back to the 14th century, this magnificent castle is now home to the Applied Sciences faculty of the University. Set amongst a beautiful park it has still retained its original grandeur.