Audio trail
If you buy a ticket for GRAAF, the audio trail is included in the price.
With audio device in hand, you will discover the story about the county of Loon!
Adult or youth trail
The adult trail digs deep into the history of this region. Are you (somewhat) familiar with the Middle Ages and would you like to learn everything about the Counts of Loon and life in the county? Then this is the trail for you!
The youth trail offers you the same information, but in a light-hearted way. The stories about the earldom are enriched with the sounds of the time: you will be totally immersed!
Whichever route you choose, Hendrik van Veldeke is your guide. He takes you on a time journey to that medieval county of Loon!
Hendrik who?
Hendrik van Veldeke was a 12th-century medieval poet born in the county of Loon, near Hasselt.
He is the oldest Dutch writer known by name.
Commissioned by Countess Agnes of Metz, he wrote the life story of Saint Servatius. Not in Latin, but in Middle Dutch. No one did that to him!
Thanks to the countess and Hendrik van Veldeke, the cradle of Dutch literature is in Loon.
Hendrik left us more than the Saint Servatius legend. In Middle High German, he also wrote a knight's tale about the Trojan hero Eneas and dozens of minnesongs (courtly poems).
As a professional minnesinger, he was a welcome guest at the courts of nobles, such as Count Louis I and Countess Agnes. With his recitals, he livened up their expensive feasts.
In 1884, he even attended the court day organised by the German emperor Frederick I Barbarossa in Mainz. There must hardly have been a bigger stage.
Fascinating man, that Hendrik van Veldeke. The perfect person to take you on a journey through 350 years of burial history!
So you will hear the voice and story of Hendrik during your visit to GRAAF.
On the trail, you will come across large and small shields. The big shields represent the main story. Be sure to pick those up!
The smaller shields are short side-stories: fun or surprising anecdotes!
Have fun with Hendrik van Veldeke in the county of Loon!