Heritage days in Belgium: Events and activities for all ages

**Heritage Days 2024: Belgium’s Open‑Door Celebration Spans Three Regions**

Belgium’s annual Heritage Days – a series of open‑door events and guided tours – will take place over the second and third weekends of September. The programme is divided among the country’s three regions: Wallonia and Flanders on the first weekend, and Brussels on the second.

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### Wallonia – 12–13 September
**Theme:** “Spectacles”
The 38th edition of Wallonia’s heritage weekend invites visitors to explore the region’s historic sites, many of which are rarely open to the public. Highlights include:

* **Liège:** The city hall (Hotel de Ville) and the recently renovated air‑raid shelter at the former swimming pool, Cité de Miroir.
* **Jemappes‑sur‑Sambre:** The medieval Château de Balâtre and its artisanal market.
* **Tournai:** The 12th‑century corner tower and the Red Fort.
* **Cité Ardente:** The Parcours des Artisans, a craft‑focused event held on the same weekend.

The event runs from 10:00 to 18:00. No printed brochure is available; visitors are encouraged to consult the online schedule. Some towns, such as Soignies, have produced special booklets that list local activities. The town’s pharmacy, unchanged since 1895, is one of the attractions highlighted.

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### Flanders – 13 September
**Theme:** “In Good Hands”
Flanders’ Open Monumentendag focuses on the people who maintain heritage sites, from architects and skilled workers to volunteers and owners. Griet Langbeen, coordinator of European Heritage Days Flanders, said the theme is a tribute to the passion, love and commitment of local organisers and volunteers.

Kortrijk hosts the celebration, offering:

* A visit to the Tack brewery.
* A tour of the Deelfabriek bunker.
* Climbing a 1940s fire‑station tower.
* Exploration of one of Flanders’ remaining open‑air swimming pools.

A record 890 locations are participating, with 1,180 activities ranging from guided walks to games. The programme is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

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### Brussels – 19–20 September

Article source: leuropeennedebruxelles.com | Image credit: The Bulletin