De Maten Nature Reserve

The De Maten Nature Reserve, situated just outside the heavily industrialized city of Genk, stands as one of Belgium's most historically rooted and ecologically mesmerizing wetlands. Spanning 300 hectares, this landscape is not purely natural but rather the striking result of centuries of human engineering: as early as the Middle Ages, monks and local farmers constructed an ingenious, cascading network of over 30 interconnected fish ponds, continuously fed by the Stiemerbeek stream. Today, these historic ponds, embraced by pristine reed beds, dense alder carrs, and sweeping tracts of flowering heathland, form a habitat mosaic of incalculable ecological worth. Protected since 1953, De Maten has become a critical European stronghold for the highly threatened European tree frog and the strictly protected Eurasian bittern, whose distinctive, booming mating call echoes across the water each spring. Sustained by dedicated conservation management and accessible via a network of tranquil walking paths, this watery labyrinth features nature enthusiasts a profound sanctuary of biodiversity amidst the densely populated Limburg region.

Nearby cities

Liège

Liège is the largest city in Wallonia and a historic center of the steel industry.

Namur

The capital of Wallonia sits at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, crowned by one of Europe's largest citadels.

Leuven

Leuven is a dynamic university city east of Brussels, home to the oldest university in the Benelux.

Hasselt

Hasselt is the capital of the Limburg province, known as the city of Jenever (gin).

Mechelen

Mechelen is located in Flanders between Antwerp and Brussels, once serving as the capital of the Netherlands under Margaret of Austria.

Genk

Genk is a major industrial center in Limburg that grew significantly due to coal mining.

Seraing

Seraing is an industrial city located just south of Liège on the Meuse River.

Verviers

Verviers is located in the Liège province and was once a global center for the wool industry.

Turnhout

Turnhout is the center of the Campine region and is globally known as the world capital of playing cards.

Beringen

Beringen is a city in the Limburg province, significantly shaped by coal mining.

Heist-op-den-berg

Heist-op-den-Berg is a municipality in the Antwerp province, situated on a 48-meter high hill.

Sint-Truiden

Sint-Truiden is located in the heart of the Haspengouw fruit-growing region.

Brasschaat

Brasschaat is a wealthy municipality north of Antwerp, often referred to as the 'park municipality'.

Grimbergen

Grimbergen is located north of Brussels in Flemish Brabant.

Vilvoorde

Vilvoorde is an industrial city north of Brussels on the Brussels-Scheldt canal.

More places

Town Hall

The Town Hall of Leuven is one of the most famous late Gothic buildings in the world.