Lime kilns Museum Hasselt - Hasselt

The lime kilns in Hasselt form a unique piece of industrial heritage and are among the oldest industrial branches in the city. There were lime kilns here as far back as the Middle Ages. The first mention of lime kilns in Hasselt can be found in the archives, dating from 1504. In these kilns, shells were heated to over 1,000°C to produce lime, an essential ingredient for mortar in construction. The shells were brought in by ship from the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, while peat served as fuel.

The lime kiln complex in Hasselt consists of two restored shaft kilns and a schoolhouse. After centuries of production, the lime kiln closed its doors for good in 1990, bringing to an end the last active shell lime kiln in Western Europe. To preserve this piece of history, the complex was restored and opened to the public in 1995. A museum has been set up in the teaching centre with tools, equipment, archive documents and images that illustrate the rich history of the lime kilns.

A visit to the lime kilns offers a fascinating look into an important part of Hasselt's industrial past. Volunteers give tours and tell lively stories about the production process and life around the lime kilns.