Hasselt (Brussels Morning) – The Gijs Van Vaerenbergh architectural team is building a new see-through church at Herkenrode Abbey in Hasselt Belgium, to revive the site’s history and boost tourism.
This architectural team Gijs-Van Vaerenbergh got famous for their see-through church in Hasellelt and now they’ve built another impressive one. They’re really excited about this new project and can’t wait to see how people react to it. The church that burned down in 1826 used to be a vital part of Herkenrode Abbey, but it was lost due to industrial activities
What are the key details about the new see-through church being built at Herkenrode Abbey in Belgium?
The church is coming back with these huge steel fins but now it’s going to be an open-air church. They’re not stopping there though. They’re planning to bring back the cloisters and revive the whole center of the site. They’ll even support the old sleeping quarters with this artwork. This will shift the focus back to the original heart of the site showing that the restored buildings we see now were actually not as central. The see-through church is going to be really big – 60 meters long and 25 meters high with a tower reaching 50 meters. The whole thing will cover an area of about 120 meters by 70 meters. They’ve already started a section as a test without digging too deep to avoid disturbing the old church ruins underneath. This first part will stay in place, and the rest of the church will be built on top of it.
In a recent event, they expected Zuhal Demir the tourism minister to reveal the first piece. But there was a change of plans. Peter De Wilde the CEO of Toerisme Vlaanderen, took over and joked about it saying they sent the minister back to Brussels. It was a light-hearted way of acknowledging the switch and added a positive vibe to the event.
What makes the new see-through church at Herkenrode Abbey in Belgium a unique and significant project?
Herkenrode Abbey is getting its own see-through church after a tragic fire that happened 200 years ago. This new church will be a unique addition to the site allowing visitors to see through its structure. The project aims to revitalize the area and bring back some of the lost elements of the abbey like the cloisters and the central focus of the site. This see-through church will not only serve as a place of worship but also as a symbol of restoration and renewal after the devastating fire that occurred two centuries ago.Herkenrode Abbey has a lot of potential both locally and globally but it’s not fully shown yet in terms of tourism and the economy. They’re putting 5 million euros into the site to create a special experience not just a regular tourist spot. The focus is on peace and quiet and they’re adding a sound wall to enhance that feeling. The CEO believes this project will bring tourists from all over the world because it offers a unique and different experience. People from North America and Asia are already excited about it seeing the big impact it can have.
