Aarschot, infected city

Covid has forced us to face the facts. Without vaccines, the suffering would have been incalculable. But what was that like before? With the regularity of the clock, plague, dysentery, smallpox, ... our city. Where did these diseases come from? How did they fight these epidemics? During this walk in Aarschot we reflect on places with a story about pestilence and health care: grey sisters such as Florence Nightingale, Sint-Rochus and the plague, the 'red course' in the guest house, the 'blue disease' in the Grecht, soldiers and Venus ...

The route also passes well-known historic buildings and places, but our description mainly focuses on epidemics and health care. Nothing prevents you from adding an extra layer to your visit. That is why we have also tried to recover as many qualitative POIs as possible for extra information.

About the trail
The story trail runs right through the city, from CC Het Gasthuis, past the city park, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk and the Bonewijk to the Grote Markt. Each story is almost self-contained so that you can make the walk in both directions.

The entire distance is barely 2.0 kilometers. The difficulty level is very low: i.e. 2/10. There is pavement everywhere. Although there are no additional facilities, the route is suitable for wheelchairs.

Food and drink
In Aarschot there is good and diverse catering. When you end up on the Grote Markt you can certainly enjoy a terrace.

Public transport
Aarschot is easy to reach by public transport. If you come by train or bus, you can start the walk at the beguinage.

Parking facilities
There is no parking problem, but there is a restriction in most places in the city. There is a spacious 'blue zone'. Near the starting point there is a free parking at a supermarket (Gasthuisstraat, 65).
If you want to be completely at ease, there is the large free Demer parking ten minutes from the starting point.