Established around a 7th-century abbey founded by Saint Trudo, Sint-Truiden is an attractive city in the Belgian province of Limburg. Following Trudo’s death, it became an important pilgrimage site and later flourished with the manufacture of linen. Today, Sint-Truiden is famed for its fruit cultivation, with the rolling hills in its surroundings blanketed with orchards.
Things to do in Sint-Truiden
In the heart of Sint-Truiden is the Grote Markt, a sprawling square lined with alfresco cafes and brasseries where you can watch the world go by. Overlooking the square is the Stadhuis with its 17th-century belfry, which has been UNESCO World Heritage-listed as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France. Step inside to admire the 18th-century stucco work and paintings by Jean-Baptiste Coclers.
Nearby is the 15th-century Church of Our Lady, which houses Rococo furnishings and sculptures dating back to the 14th century. Don’t miss the church’s treasury, where objects from the destroyed Sint-Truiden Abbey are on display, including silver images of the apostles and holy relics of Saint Trudo.
All that remains of the Sint-Truiden Abbey is a Romanesque tower and crypt where a film is screened about the origins of the city. Wander through the vaulted corridor before climbing the 196 steps that lead up the tower. Along the way are five platforms for taking in the panoramic views of Sint-Truiden and the countryside of Haspengouw.
Getting around Sint-Truiden
Sint-Truiden is around an hour’s drive from the centre of Brussels and 45 minutes from Brussels Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Sint-Truiden railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Sint-Truiden can easily be explored on foot.