The best MTB trails around Oreye

Dying night in the dawn

The beguinage of Borgloon originated around the chapel of the Knights Hospitaller in Graethem, near the city gate. This chapel is the burial place of Louis I († 1171), Count of Loon, and his wife Agnes, who is mentioned twice in the Legend of Saint Servatius by Hendrik van Veldeke. The tomb remained preserved until around 1860. In 1174, Agnes, now a widow, donated the hospital and all its dependent goods to the Abbey of Villers; she endowed it with her lands in Heks. After some time, beguines began to settle around the hospital; in 1258 or 1259, a beguinage was definitively established. The Abbey of Villers retained the right of patronage of the chapel and the right to appoint the nine beguines. In 1582, this right passed to the Saint Lambert Chapter of Liège. From 1500 onwards, the city council appointed a master of the house in the hospital. In 1654, the nine beguinage houses were burned down by Lorraine troops during the siege of the city. The beguines rebuilt their houses with the income from their prebends and the alms of the Cathedral of Liège. Around 1714, the hospital had deteriorated so much that it was moved to the other side of the road; in 1784, it was taken over by the city's poor relief board. By decree of 25 November 1797, the beguinage came under the administration of the Bureau of Weldadigheid (Bureau of Charity). In 1802, the beguinage was converted into a retirement home; there were still four beguines living there at the time. In 1814, the chapel was opened for public worship. Between 1836 and 1844, the construction of the old men's home began; an enlargement took place between 1868-1872, a later enlargement in 1891 and 1896, designed by E. Serrure. In 1846, a girls' school was added to this complex; the latter, under the leadership of the Sisters of Charity, functioned there only until 1849, when it was transferred to the old Brigittine convent. In 1911, a new chapel was built next to the elder's home. Reportedly, the beguinage chapel was used as a classroom for a few more years.

A green hill with colorful flowers...

The Tjenneboom commemorates Tjenne the witch, who is said to have been burned at the stake at this location more than three centuries ago. The location is typical for a pyre or gallows, namely on the outskirts of a village and at the highest point in the area. The tree is located on the border of four former municipalities, Helshoven, Gotem, Mettekoven and Voort, and can thus also be considered a border tree. Finally, the tree marks the route of the Roman Road, the historical Roman connection between Bavay and Tongeren. It is already the third tree at this location, planted in 1970. The location has also been laid out as a meeting place. The solitary white poplar is an important landmark in the landscape. Due to its location, at the highest point in an open agricultural landscape, it is visible from the surrounding area. Moreover, it has a beautiful, representative growth form. @https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/aanduidingsobjecten/9752

Friendly people. Relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Beautiful location.

A hollow way or grub(be) is a road that has been eroded by rainwater runoff or by frequent use (by livestock or vehicles), causing the road to lie between two slopes.

Striking color...

GOOD