Hasselt is a small Hanseatic town with a grand history and a beautiful center, situated on the banks of Het Zwarte Water (the Black Water), into which the river Vechte discharges. Hasselt is home to over 70 national monuments, many of them beautifully restored buildings. The most important of these buildings is probably St. Stephen’s Church, which was completed in 1497 and is famous for its famous organ (built by Rudolph Knol) and its mural depicting St. Christopher.
Other sights worth seeing include the old town hall and the lime kilns. What makes Hasselt unique is that it is, in essence, a miniature version of Amsterdam. In its old center, you will find a very similar arrangement of canals, bridges, quays, and sluices. So take a pleasant walk along Heerengracht, Prinsengracht, and Brouwersgracht, or explore Hasselt along its waterways on a boat round-trip.