Spend a day in Tienen, the Sugar City, and enjoy its cultural, historical, and natural sights.
For this post I am grateful to Discovering Belgium reader Steven Loyens. He saw my post on How to spend a day in Diest and offered to provide me with details of a similar tour in his hometown of Tienen. So here is his recommended route with descriptions of the points of interest to see on the way. Below is a map of the walk. You can download the GPX file to your GPS device on my RouteYou page. Or you can just save the image below of course and follow the step-by-step instructions that Steven gives. The whole walk is around 11 km, which will certainly enable you to spend a day in Tienen! However, if that’s too long, you can easily shorten it by cutting out one or both of the loops to the east of Tienen and concentrating on the town center.
So thanks a lot Steven for providing us with this great walking route around your home town of Tienen. Over to you!
Steven writes: If you are intending to spend a day in Tienen and are travelling by train, don’t be dismayed at the sight of Tienen railway station. The station is undergoing a lengthy renovation. Welcome to Tienen!
Leaving the station, head straight into town on Vierde Lancierslaan. At the end of Vierde Lancierslaan go straight into the Leuvensestraat and then immediately right into Delportstraat. Follow this street until you arrive at the entrance to the small but wonderful city park at the Hotel Kronacker.
Town park
Tienen town park (stadspark) used to be the garden of the home of former diplomat Pierre Vanden Bossche, scion of the entrepreneurial family that founded the first sugar factory in Tienen, and his wife Ikbal Berzeg. She came from the north of the Caucasus. The couple met in Istanbul – formerly Constantinople – and married in 1883. Their passion for exotic plants was great: their collection grew to more than 3,500 varieties of plants! The current park still contains several remarkable trees, such as a tulip tree, a Japanese walnut tree, a trumpet tree and a honey locust tree. The former Vanden Bossche family estate has housed the specialist children’s clinic of the Marguerite-Marie Delacroix Foundation since 1952, designed by the Tienen architect Paul Nickmans.
Enjoy a stroll through the park and leave it at the corner gate at the intersection of Broekstraat, Goossensvest and Avondorenstraat. Follow Goossensvest to the first intersection and turn right there. Here you will find Heldenland.
Heldenland children’s playground
Heldenland on the Martelarenplein is a free playground for small and big children, so if you have children it’s a great place to spend an hour or so.
When you’ve finished playing on the swings and slides, follow Goossenvest until it reaches Sint-Helenavest, when you can examine the town’s old flood gates.
The Sint-Helena lock
The Sint-Helena lock is a charming historical feature located along the old Gete River in Tienen. Originally constructed in the 19th century, this lock played a key role in regulating water levels for irrigation and transportation, supporting both agriculture and local industries. Though no longer in use for commercial purposes, the lock has been preserved as a piece of industrial heritage.
It was named by two Tienen sympathizers of Napoleon, Antoine Pasch and Charles Verlat, who applied to start an inn at the lock. In 1870, the inn was given the name Ile Saint-Hélène after the island to which Napoleon had been banished. The inn’s name was later also used to refer to the lock and the ramparts. In the early 1980s, the Sint-Helena Lock was restored.
Cross the road towards Driemolenstraat and walk along Huidevettersstraat and then Bostsestraat. Cross the ring road here to go have a peek at the burned down church of the Paterskerk.
Paterskerk
The Paterskerk in Tienen is the second oldest beguinage church in Belgium. The first was built in 1240 in Liège; construction on this one in Tienen started just five years later. In 1843, the church and the adjacent buildings were purchased by the Dominican Fathers, who converted the whole into a monastery. In 1946, the Paterskerk was protected as a heritage site, but was unfortunately largely destroyed by a fierce fire on 22 September 1976. It was caused by sparks from work being carried out on the roof.
The ruins were restored and in 1997 they were converted into a park. It’s a popular place for wedding photos and other such events.
After leaving the Paterskerk, return towards the ring road and turn right at the traffic lights. Walking along the ring road you will pass the sugar factory.
Tienen sugar factory
Tienen is famously known as the “Sugar Town” due to its long-standing association with sugar production. The Tienen sugar factory is a landmark that symbolizes this heritage. Groups can visit the factory and learn about the sugar-making process, from beet to refined sugar, the industrial history of the town, and the sugar industry as a whole. The factory is one of the largest employers in the region. 600 employees manufacture 500 to 600,000 tons of sugar from 3 to 3.5 million sugar beets annually, originating from 5,000 farmers.
Its consumer products, under the brand names Tiense Suiker/Sucres de Tirlemont and Candico, can be divided into four different categories:
- To sweeten hot drinks: hard sugar cubes
- To prepare desserts: refined sugar and pearl sugar
- For homemade jam: various gelling sugars
- To sprinkle on desserts such as pancakes: powdered sugar, Cassonade Graeffe.
If you are visiting Tienen during the sugar beet season (late September) you will be able to catch the sweet smell of cooking sugar beet.
At the traffic lights at the junction of Vinckenboschvest and Aandoren turn right and walk uphill. You have a bit of a walk in front of you but it will be worthwhile. After about 2 km, on your right you will find De Drie Tommen on the Sint-Truidensesteenweg.
De Drie Tommen
One of the most fascinating historical sites in Tienen is De Drie Tommen, a group of Gallo-Roman tumuli (burial mounds) dating back to the 2nd century CE. They are among the best-preserved examples of Gallo-Roman tumuli in Belgium. Archaeologists have discovered numerous artifacts in and around the mounds, including pottery, jewelry, and grave goods that offer insights into the social and cultural lives of those buried here. You can enjoy the surrounding nature, while information panels on-site provide detailed explanations of the history and significance of the burial mounds.
After spending some time in De Drie Tommen, take Verbindingsstraat on the other side of the road all the way until it ends and turn left. After about 100 meters you will find the Necropolis.
Necropolis
Sint-Pieters Church was once a parish church. However, by the mid-19th century, it had fallen into disrepair, with demolition being considered by 1850. During World War I, the ruined church found new significance as a military burial site. In 1915, 145 Belgian soldiers who had died in battle were interred in the church. After the war, efforts to restore the church and cemetery began. A significant restoration of the church took place between 1922 and 1928, transforming it into a military cemetery and memorial. The Necropolis was officially inaugurated in 1928. Today, it stands as a protected monument, recognized for its historical and artistic value.
After your visit to the Necropolis, turn into Pastorijstraat and walk along Molenstraat.
Bridge over the Gete
While walking along Molenstraat, keep an eye open for the old concrete bridge over the Gete. It was used by the local tram and sugar beet trains to transport the harvest from the field to the sugar factory.
At the end of Molenstraat turn right into Slachthuisstraat. Go straight ahead and at the junction turn left onto Hamelendreef. After about 1 km you will find the green area called Viander.
Viander Recreational Domain
The Viander Recreational Domain is an 8-hectare park ideal for walking and relaxation. You can unwind by walking alongside one of the three fishing ponds, with the option for group fishing available by prior arrangement. Children can explore various play equipment, a sand playground, and a pyramid tower. During the summer months, they can cool off and have fun in the water playground. You can even enjoy a round of minigolf here, enjoy a picnic, or visit the restaurant.
When leaving the Viander domain follow Reynaertsbaantje through the fruit trees towards the ring road. (The region is a productive area for apples and pears.) At the end, cross the ring road and head into Generaal Guffensstraat, Liefdesstraat, Veldbornstraat, Onze-Lieve V Broedersstraat and towards the Hennemarkt. As its name suggests, this used to be the place where you could buy your poultry. Head up the old stairs of the Vrijthofstraat. This is the oldest part of the town and it’s dominated by Sint-Germanus Church.
Sint-Germanus Church
Dating back to the 13th century, Sint-Germanus Church is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. The church boasts an impressive bell tower, which is part of the UNESCO-recognized “Belfries of Belgium and France.” Inside, you’ll find beautiful stained-glass windows, intricate carvings, and religious relics that reflect the town’s deep-rooted Catholic heritage. The church is an iconic feature in Tienen’s skyline and a peaceful spot for contemplation.
Head down Wolmarkt. Opposite the Church you can find the oldest remaining houses of Tienen: the Van Ranst houses.
The Houses of Van Ranst
The mansions of Van Ranst are historical buildings on the Wolmarkt in Tienen. The houses at numbers 15, 17, 19 and 21 were originally owned by the noble family Van Ranst. They were rebuilt by the family after the destruction of Tienen in 1635. The houses are a fusion of different architectural styles, such as traditional brick style and sandstone style, late baroque and Louis XIV style. The mansions have been protected as a monument since 1958.
Walk downhill towards the Grote Markt.
The Grote Markt of Tienen
With a surface area of 15,900 m², this is the second largest Grote Markt in Belgium (after that of Sint-Niklaas). Feel free to soak up the atmosphere by enjoying a local beer such as a Hoegaarden or Hoplinter Climax on one of the many terraces. You can’t miss the Town Hall (Stadhuis). This neo-classical building was built in the 18th century, and is admired for its grand façade and elegant interiors. It frequently hosts local events and exhibitions.
After your day of discovery you can head back to the railway station via Leuvensestraat. I hope you enjoy your visit to Tienen!
Thank you Steven for giving us this interesting tour of your home town. There is certainly plenty here to spend a day in Tienen. If anyone else would like to introduce your town to readers of Discovering Belgium, just drop me a line.
Where to stay in Tienen?
If you are considering visiting Tienen, here are some interesting accommodation possibilities in and around the town that are highly recommended.
In the town of Tienen itself is Hotel Kronacker (right by the Stadspark mentioned above). It includes a fitness center, a garden and a terrace, a sauna, a hammam, and bike rentals. Also in the town (and along the Leuvensestraat so also very convenient for this walk) is Alpha Hotel and Aparthotel, with 17 compact rooms and four deluxe apartments. If you have your own transport and are happy to stay outside Tienen to explore the surrounding Flemish countryside I recommend the beautiful B&B ‘t Kloosterveld in nearby Boutersem. It is exceedingly well equipped and is located in peaceful surroundings with its own swimming pool. Of course, many other accommodation possibilities exist; you can use this link to discover more:
Now on GPSmyCity
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Tienen on GPSmyCity.
I created Discovering Belgium in 2011 to share the country’s hidden stories, fascinating places, and remarkable people. Through articles, photography, and audio walks, I share discoveries that reveal Belgium beyond the obvious. Hope you enjoy this site.
Sweet!
Indeed!
That’s a great looking playground.