Eight Belgian heritage sites in the running for the nation’s 2025 Heritage Challenge

The public is invited to vote for their favourite national treasure in the fifth edition of the Heritage Challenge.

Eight outstanding landmarks have been selected by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA).

“They each make a unique contribution to Belgium's rich cultural identity,” it said in a press release announcing the opening of the public vote.

The following treasures from sites around the country were nominated for the 2025 Challenge:

• The sgraffito of the ‘La Maison Dorée’ in Charleroi
• The Chinese Pavilion in Laeken
• The icehouse of the Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres
• The shell paintings of the Brussels Institute of Natural Sciences
• The Renaissance Pavilion in Mons
• The Art Deco pool of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp
• The Elisabeth D'Aubreby Van Swae collection pieces at the Fashion Museum in Hasselt
• The alabaster bas-reliefs of Gaasbeek Castle

Supported by the National Lottery, the competition aims to preserve and enhance Belgium’s national heritage and highlight treasures that deserve special attention, while actively involving the local population in their protection.

Previous winners of the Heritage Challenge have received help with their restoration and conservation. They include the interior of Rubens's funerary chapel in Antwerp (2021), the statue of ‘Notre-Dame des malades’ in Tournai (2022), the painting The Preaching of Saint John the Baptist in Aalst (2023), and the earthenware tile paintings of the Maison Picarde in Mouscron (2024).

Voting continues until 1 February. After the public votes have been combined with a jury’s evaluation, the winner will be announced on 10 February. An initial budget of €25,000 is planned for the selected heritage site.

Photos: (main image) Chinese Pavilion ©Regie der Gebouwen - Régie des Bâtiments; Bedford House Cemetery ©Martine Crabbe; La Maison Dorée Charleroi ©Jmh2o; ©Institute Tropical Medecine Antwerp