Diest (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Diest is building a pentagon-shaped viewing platform at the former ‘Visible Bar’ site. Extending over the mountain, it hosts cultural events. Alderman Monique De Dobbeleer (DDS) expects completion this month March 2025.
A new viewing platform is being built in Diest, where the old ‘Visible Bar’ used to be. Officials mentioned that the bar was a popular place for people to have drinks and enjoy the views of the city, nearby towns, and the countryside. The new platform will have signs that tell visitors about the things they can see.
According to the city council, this location is great, but the view from the parking lot isn’t very good right now. The new platform will stick out over the mountain, so visitors can get closer to the scenery. They mentioned that this would make the view much better and create a more exciting experience for everyone.
It is the best place to establish such a viewpoint,
says alderman Monique De Dobbeleer (DDS).
We already knew that a bit, of course, but now you have to look at the view from a parking lot and that is not ideal. The platform is designed in such a way that it ends with a point over the mountain, where you can walk, so that makes it extra spectacular.
How will Diest’s new Pentagon platform honour history and art?
According to the officials, the new platform in Diest isn’t just for looking at the view. The city wants the platform to be a place for outdoor art shows, small concerts, and other events. They mentioned that the city will ensure that any art or activities on the platform match the calm and inspiring atmosphere.
The new platform in Diest will be shaped like a pentagon, which is a 5-sided shape. The platform will also have small holes in the walls. Officials mentioned that these holes will be used to help visitors see the view in different ways, like looking through a frame. They said that the platform will be a combination of history and modern design. Alderman Monique De Dobbeleer (DDS) expects completion this month March 2025.
The citadel in Diest was built a long time ago, back when Belgium became its own country. Belgium was worried that the Netherlands might try to take over, so they built strong defences, including the citadel.
According to the officials, even though the threat from the Netherlands went away, the citadel stayed important. It was used to protect against other countries, like France. They mentioned that over time, the citadel changed to fit the new ways of fighting wars, but it always stayed a very important place to defend the city.
In the 1950s, the citadel became a place for soldiers who jumped out of planes. They trained there and used it for their missions for almost 60 years. But then, the soldiers left and the citadel was empty for a long time.
